Kobe White s contract extension is pending: The heart to stay and salary game

On September 29, Bulls defender Kobe White is entering the final year of his existing contract with the team. Despite his qualification for early renewal, he made it clear that he would not sign a renewal agreement before the end of this season.

White is paying $12.8 million this season. According to the NBA renewal rules, he can sign a four-year contract renewal contract with a total amount of $86.9 million, with a first-year salary of about $19.4 million. This is because the rules limit the first annual salary cap of its contract renewal is 140% of the current annual salary or the league's estimated average salary. No matter how it is calculated, the starting salary is less than $20 million. White and his team believe that he will be able to earn a higher salary once he becomes a free agent in 2026. From a business perspective, choosing to wait is undoubtedly a rational move.

However, White's position does not mean that he wants to leave Chicago. On the contrary, the 25-year-old defender has been deeply rooted in the city and the team. In a recent interview with Andscape reporter Marc Spears, he emphasized: "I like playing in Chicago, the management here, my teammates, and the staff of the team. I have a very good relationship with Coach Billy Donovan. For me, if fate arranges me to stay with the Bulls, I will never have any other extravagance."

Kobe White's experience with the Bulls has made him feel deeply in love with the team. From his youth when he first entered the league to his gradual rise in the field, the Bulls have witnessed his growth. He gained friendship here, fought side by side with his teammates, and fought for victory together; he received support and trust from management, and was able to continuously improve his football skills; the good relationship he established with coach Donovan also provided strong guidance for his career development. These emotional bonds make White still care about the bull even if he has some considerations on salary.

For the Bulls, White's decision brought some uncertainty. He is an important member of the team's lineup, and his performance in the defender position has an important impact on the team's offense and defense. If the team cannot successfully renew White after the end of the season, they may face the issue of staff adjustments in the back line. But from another perspective, it may also inspire White to go all out this season, perform better, earn higher salaries for himself, and also bring better results for the Bulls.

Kobe White's future is full of variables, and his story with the Bulls continues. On the one hand, it is a love and emotional bond for Chicago, and on the other hand, it is a pursuit of maximizing its own business value. How he will show himself on the court and whether the Bulls can reach a consensus with him for a contract renewal have become the focus of fans in the coming season. Regardless of the end result, Kobe White will write an important page in his basketball career, and the Bulls will continue to move towards their goals.

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