Coby White reportedly intends to sign 3-year, $74 million deal with Hornets

It took Coby White a few years to find his stride in the NBA, but his improvements have finally paid off. White reportedly intends to sign a three-year, $74 million deal with the Charlotte Hornets after performing well in a limited role down the stretch last season, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

White, 26, will presumably move into a starting role with the new deal.

After spending his entire career with the Chicago Bulls, White was traded to the Hornets at the deadline. Despite appearing in 21 games with the Hornets down the stretch, White did not register a single start with the team.

But that won't be his role moving forward. The Hornets signaled as much early Thursday, trading LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Naz Reid and draft picks.

The deal left the Hornets with a gaping hole at point guard, one the team quickly filled with White's new deal.

It took a few seasons for White to find his groove in the NBA. After a promising rookie season in which he averaged 13.2 points per game, White made minimal improvements in his second season, eventually falling back into a reserve role with the Bulls.

After bottoming out and averaging just 9.7 points per game during the 2022-23 NBA season, White was elevated back into a starting role. He excelled in his second stint as a starter, averaging 19.1 points per game and following it up by averaging over 20 points per game for the first time in his career during the 2024-25 NBA season.

White's numbers took a slight step back last season, though he was still a steady offensive force.

Over the past three seasons, White has averaged 19.1 points, 4.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. The Hornets are hoping he can get back to those numbers after he saw his scoring drop to 15.6 points per game during his 21-stint with the team at the end of last season.