Could Coby White become the Bulls’ new closer?

The Bulls aren’t exactly known for their late-game heroics. They lack a true closer—someone who can take over in crunch time.

Teams like the Lakers rely on LeBron James to seal the deal, the Timberwolves turn to Anthony Edwards, and Nikola Jokić is the Nuggets’ steady hand in the clutch. But who fills that role for Chicago?

“We don’t have that,” coach Billy Donovan admitted. “I don’t think we can play like that.”

Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers highlighted this gap, especially after the team traded leading scorer Zach LaVine before the deadline. Since his departure, the Bulls have gone 2-3 in clutch situations. Against the Clippers, they cut the deficit to three in the final minutes, only for James Harden to step up and close the game with seven key fourth-quarter points.

Now, the challenge for the Bulls’ front office and Donovan is whether someone already on the roster can grow into that role.

“Coby [White] has hit big shots throughout his career, whether playing alongside DeMar [DeRozan], Zach, or even [Nikola Vucevic],” Donovan said. “I’ve seen Patrick [Williams] knock down clutch threes when DeMar got double-teamed, and the ball found him.”

The difference now? These players are no longer complementary pieces—they’re being asked to drive the offense when it matters most. Donovan believes that White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Josh Giddey can develop their late-game instincts through experience. Friday’s win over the Raptors provided some validation, but closing games isn’t just about making shots.

“That’s what DeMar did so well,” Donovan explained. “He knew when the double-team was coming and made the right play. I don’t necessarily go in thinking, ‘This is the guy.’ With DeMar, it was obvious. But for these young players, it’s about putting them in those moments and seeing how they respond.”

Should the Bulls Shut Vucevic Down?

Nikola Vucevic has missed three straight games with a strained right calf, and even before the injury, his production had dipped. The LaVine trade brought in Zach Collins, adding much-needed frontcourt depth as the Bulls fight to hold onto the final play-in spot with 23 games left.

Would Chicago consider sitting Vucevic for a stretch to evaluate other options? Donovan says that decision is out of his hands.

“I also consider the player,” he said. “Vooch has always prided himself on being available and performing at a high level. A move like that would require discussions beyond me. As of now, it’s not something we’ve talked about.”