The Charlotte Hornets’ recent trade deadline acquisition of Coby White is already showing results on the court, as the veteran guard’s playmaking abilities have begun to reshape the team’s offensive strategy. Within minutes of his debut in purple and teal, White demonstrated the passing prowess that had been noted by former teammates Jeff Peterson and Charles Lee, who had both commented on his ‘underrated’ skills after the trade.

White Finds Grant Williams in the Corner

Charlotte’s offense quickly got into gear after a Bulls bucket, with White immediately stepping into the action. A shallow cut from Kon Knueppel created a driving lane to White’s right, and Ryan Kalkbrenner set a screen for White. Instead of taking the screen, White exploited the space vacated by Knueppel’s hard cut to the corner, collapsing the Bulls’ defense.

As White rose to release the pass to Grant Williams in the corner, four Bulls defenders were within a step of the paint, giving White a clear view of the court. He chose Williams, who knocked down the jumper to convert on Coby’s first assist as a member of the Hornets.

White Finds Williams in the Other Corner

On the next possession, White repeated the feat, this time finding Williams in the opposite corner. White received a screen from Kalkbrenner, who popped out to receive a pass from Coby. A down screen from Knueppel, who typically would fly off of it and receive a handoff from Kalkbrenner, was instead used to set up a ball screen action on the wing.

With Buzelis overplaying the screening action, White spun left and attacked the paint with a nifty snake dribble. The Bulls’ defense collapsed again, leaving White with a clear shot from the corner.

White’s ability to find open shooters is a stark contrast to Collin Sexton’s play, who had previously impacted Charlotte’s offense with his relentless motor and soft touch around the rim but struggled to find open perimeter shooters. White’s frequent ability to locate open men has already begun to transform the Hornets’ offensive approach.

On Charlotte’s next possession, White repeated the play, this time finding Williams in the opposite corner. This sequence illustrates the potential of the Coby White trade. The talented shot maker will have a field day against opposing second units and sharing the floor with corner snipers like Williams and Josh Green, talented screeners like Ryan Kalkbrenner, and whichever of the Hornets’ three top-tier starters line up alongside him.

White’s impact is not just in his ability to find open teammates but also in his ability to read defenses and create space for his teammates. His playmaking skills have already begun to elevate the Hornets’ bench lineups and provide a glimpse into the team’s potential for a major playoff push in 2026.

According to analysts, White’s ability to read the game and create scoring opportunities for his teammates is a significant asset for the Hornets. His presence on the court has already started to shift the dynamics of Charlotte’s offense, making it more flexible and difficult to defend.

As the season progresses, the Hornets will continue to rely on White’s playmaking abilities to complement their existing roster. His ability to read the game and create scoring opportunities for his teammates is a significant asset for the team.