The Bulls considered trading Kobe White, but eventually signed him to a contract extension.
Kobe White may have had little confidence in himself at the time, but he ultimately decided to stay and accepted a contract with an average annual salary of $12 million.
The Bulls general manager should now regret signing only three years, and Coby White has really transformed himself by averaging 9.7 points and 2.8 assists per game last season and 19.1 points and 5.1 assists this season. He is considered one of the favourites to be the most improved player of the season, along with Alperen Sengun and Maxey.
Coby White blasted 42 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals in the play-off game against the Hawks, and was a big contributor to the team's victory.
Some fans once ridiculed that Kobe White was Jalen Green's lower limit.
Jalen Green is physically gifted as Kobe White, but is a little worse at handling the ball and shooting.
Coby White is shooting 36.9 percent from three-point range in his career, and Jalen Green is just 33.7 percent.
Rockets general manager Stone and owner Fertitta have both expressed their trust in Jalen Green in recent days, and head coach Udoka has praised him for his improvement. Hopefully, Jalen Green can also achieve a metamorphosis like Kobe White.
The Hawks, who are only 10th in the East this season, were eliminated, and Harden's younger brother Capela missed the playoffs with 22 points, 17 rebounds and 4 assists.
Capela played 37 minutes in the game, shooting 11-of-15 from the field and was very efficient offensively.
Capela has previously said he won't rule out a return to the Rockets, and some fans are also hoping that Stone will bring him back to Houston.
Stone once wanted to bring in Drummond as a firefighter, but it has to be said that the Rockets gave up on making a trade with the Bulls and successfully avoided lightning.
Two months ago, Houston reporter Kelly Eco revealed that the Rockets had explored short-term center options such as Drummond and Olynyk after bringing in Adams, who was reimbursed for the season. Kelly Eco didn't mention Capella by name in that report.
Kelly Eco said the Jazz were reluctant to cut their price offer for Olynyk, so the Rockets pulled out of the talks. The Bulls asked for multiple second-round picks, but the Rockets didn't think it was worth it, so they gave up.
Drummond, 30 years old, 2.11 meters tall and 2.29 meters with an arm span, averaged 8.4 points and 9 rebounds in 17 minutes per game this season, shooting 55.6% from the field. At that time, the Rockets bench center Landale was not in good shape, Udoka did not use Smith Jr. or Jeff Green as the center, and Alperen Sengun's increased playing time would lead to a lack of stamina. Udoka hopes Stone can bring in an experienced veteran to take Langdale's place and go all out for the playoffs.
Drummond is good at rebounding and has a lot of game experience, but he has been average defensively, playing off the bench for most of the season and ranking 162nd in the league in defensive efficiency. The Bulls wanted to slaughter the rocket, but the cautious Stone was not fooled.
The Bulls should now regret not sending Drummond to the Rockets, he really didn't have a brain.
Drummond saw his teammate Craig want to dunk himself during the game, but instead of stopping, he rushed up to block the dunk, but the offense was messed up, and Kobe White, who was standing on the side, was dumbfounded. In this crucial play-off game, Drummond knocked down teammate Caruso directly when he returned to defense, the latter suffered a severe sprained right foot, and it is still uncertain whether he will be able to play in the play-off match with the Heat.
Compared to Drummond, Caruso is the reinforcement that Udoka really needs.
The 30-year-old 1.96-meter-tall two-way guard Caruso has championship experience and defensive first-team accolades, and he can shoot three-pointers to open up space (he is averaging 1.9 three-pointers per game this season, shooting 40.8 percent), as well as playmaking. Some American media have suggested that the Rockets send a 2024 Nets first-round pick to get Caruso from the Bulls, but it seems that Stone is still a little reluctant.