Josh Giddey and Bulls remain $10 million apart in contract talks
Josh Giddey is one of just four restricted free agents still without a deal as the 2025-26 season approaches. After his first year with the Chicago Bulls, contract negotiations have hit a serious roadblock.
The Australian point guard impressed in Chicago, especially after the All-Star break. But that hasn’t translated to the payday he’s hoping for.
NBA insider Jake Fischer reports the Bulls won’t budge beyond $20 million annually, while Giddey is asking for $30 million per season. That’s a massive gap to bridge before training camps open.
Giddey came to Chicago in a trade last summer that sent fan-favorite Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City. The Bulls clearly saw something in the former sixth overall pick from the 2021 draft.
He spent his first three seasons with the Thunder, starting all 210 regular-season games he appeared in. It wasn’t until the 2023-24 playoffs that OKC moved him to a bench role.
The change of scenery seemed to work wonders for Giddey’s game.
In 70 games with Chicago (69 starts), he averaged 14.6 points while pulling down a career-high 8.1 rebounds and dishing 7.2 assists per game. Those are solid numbers for a 22-year-old playmaker still developing his game.
But the Bulls aren’t ready to pay premium prices.
Marc Stein reports Chicago has offered Giddey a four-year, $80 million deal – exactly at their $20 million ceiling.
The standoff puts Giddey in a tough spot. As a restricted free agent, his options are limited. The Bulls can match any offer sheet he signs with another team, essentially controlling his future.
Only the Brooklyn Nets have enough cap space to make Giddey a competitive offer. But after just drafting a point guard with the 8th pick in this year’s draft, they’re unlikely to pursue him.
Chicago has played hardball with young talent before. Lauri Markkanen’s contract negotiations dragged into late August before the Bulls eventually traded him.
Could Giddey be headed down the same path? With both sides dug in, something will have to give before the season tips off.
