Hornets Land Coby White and Mike Conley in Stunning Trade with Bulls

The Charlotte Hornets pulled off one of the most surprising deals of the 2026 NBA trade deadline on Thursday, Feb. 5, acquiring guards Coby White and Mike Conley from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Tre Mann, forward Josh Green, center Nick Richards, a 2027 first-round pick (top-10 protected), and two second-round picks, league sources confirmed to The Associated Press.

The transaction, finalized just before the 3 p.m. ET deadline, signals a clear shift in direction for the Hornets, who have struggled to find consistent backcourt production since the departure of LaMelo Ball to injury and inconsistent play from younger guards. By adding White, a 26-year-old breakout star coming off a career year, and the 38-year-old veteran Conley, Charlotte is betting on immediate competitiveness while still preserving long-term flexibility.

Trade Breakdown

Hornets receive:

• Coby White
• Mike Conley
• Cash considerations

Bulls receive:

• Tre Mann
• Josh Green
• Nick Richards
• 2027 first-round pick (Charlotte, top-10 protected)
• 2028 second-round pick (via Miami)
• 2030 second-round pick (via New Orleans)

The deal reunites Conley with Hornets head coach Charles Lee, who served as an assistant under Conley in Memphis and Atlanta. White, meanwhile, becomes the centerpiece of Charlotte’s backcourt overhaul, bringing explosive scoring, improved playmaking and elite catch-and-shoot ability to a roster that ranked 26th in offensive efficiency entering February.

Why the Hornets Made the Move

Entering the deadline at 22–30 and sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference, Charlotte had been widely viewed as a seller. Instead, general manager Mitch Kupchak pulled the trigger on a win-now move, prioritizing guard depth and veteran leadership around young stars Brandon Miller and Mark Williams.

White, 26, is having a career season in Chicago: 21.4 points, 5.1 assists, 4.3 rebounds, 41.8% from three on 8.2 attempts per game through 52 games. His ability to score off the dribble and create in pick-and-roll situations addresses a glaring need for the Hornets, who have leaned heavily on isolation and transition scoring.

Conley, despite turning 39 in October, remains one of the league’s steadiest floor generals. He averaged 9.8 points and 5.9 assists in 28.4 minutes per game for the Bulls, shooting 42.1% from three and posting a 3.2 assist-to-turnover ratio. His leadership and championship experience (2023 with Denver) give Charlotte a stabilizing force off the bench or in closing lineups.

“These two guys change how we play,” Lee said in a brief statement released by the team. “Coby brings dynamic scoring and shot-creation. Mike brings poise, winning habits and the ability to run an offense. We’re excited to integrate them immediately.”

Impact on the Bulls

Chicago, sitting at 24–28 and clinging to the No. 9 spot in the East, appears to be pivoting toward a youth movement and future asset accumulation. Trading White — their leading scorer and a pending restricted free agent — and Conley (who has a $9.975 million non-guaranteed salary for 2026–27) clears significant cap space and timeline pressure.

In return, the Bulls receive:

• Tre Mann (24): A quick, shifty combo guard who averaged 11.2 points and 4.1 assists in 26.8 minutes for Charlotte.
• Josh Green (25): A versatile 6-foot-5 wing who shot 38.7% from three last season and brings defensive energy.
• Nick Richards (27): A 7-foot rim-running center who averaged 9.1 points and 8.0 rebounds in limited minutes but offers size and athleticism.
• A 2027 first-round pick (top-10 protected) that could convey in a year Chicago hopes to be in the lottery again.

The haul gives the Bulls three rotation-ready young players under team control and a valuable future pick, aligning with a potential rebuild around No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg (if they land him) or other high lottery talent.

Immediate Roster Fit in Charlotte

White is expected to start alongside LaMelo Ball (when healthy) or slide to the bench as a high-usage scoring guard. Conley will likely back up the point guard spot and serve as a mentor to younger guards while providing spot minutes in crunch time.

The Hornets’ projected backcourt rotation now reads:

• Starters: LaMelo Ball / Coby White
• Key reserves: Mike Conley / Seth Curry / Nick Smith Jr.

The addition of White’s scoring punch (career-high 21.4 PPG) and Conley’s decision-making should raise Charlotte’s offensive ceiling significantly, especially in half-court sets where the team has struggled.

Defensively, the Hornets gain mixed results. White is an average-to-below-average defender, while Conley remains a savvy team defender despite declining lateral quickness. The hope is that Miller, Williams, and Miles Bridges can cover for backcourt deficiencies.

Fan & Analyst Reactions

The deal drew immediate polarized reactions. Hornets fans flooded social media with excitement over finally landing a proven 20-point scorer to complement Ball. “Coby White + LaMelo? That’s must-watch basketball,” one fan posted on X, garnering thousands of likes.

Skeptics pointed to the cost: giving up a first-round pick and three rotation pieces for two players on expiring or near-expiring deals. “This feels like a panic move when we should be tanking for Cooper Flagg,” another wrote.

National analysts leaned positive. ESPN’s Bobby Marks gave the Hornets a B+ grade: “They’re buying upside and win-now help without sacrificing their entire future.” CBS Sports’ Colin Ward-Henninger called it “the most aggressive move Charlotte has made in years.”

For Chicago, the return drew praise for its balance of youth, upside and future assets. “They didn’t just dump salary — they got real pieces and a pick,” wrote The Athletic’s Darnell Mayberry.

What’s Next

White and Conley are expected to travel to Charlotte immediately and make their Hornets debuts as early as Friday against the Orlando Magic. The team has until Feb. 20 to decide whether to waive Conley’s non-guaranteed 2026–27 salary or keep him for another season.

For Chicago, the trade opens the door to further deadline or offseason moves, potentially including offers for Zach LaVine or Nikola Vučević if the rebuild accelerates.

In Charlotte, the deal marks a clear pivot: from rebuilding to retooling around Ball, Miller, and now White. Whether it pays off depends on health, chemistry, and whether the Hornets can climb out of the lottery and into the play-in conversation.

For now, the NBA world is left marveling at how quickly a quiet deadline turned explosive — with two franchises betting on very different futures.