The Chicago Bulls are coming off a season that promised more than it ultimately delivered. With a roster designed to build toward the future, the Bulls are aiming to shape themselves into a project that could put them in position to contend in the coming years. One of the key pieces in that plan is Josh Giddey, and Chicago is working to secure him for the next several NBA seasons.
One of the major questions for the Bulls this offseason has involved the future of point guard Josh Giddey, who became a triple-double machine down the stretch last season. Recently, NBA insider Jake Fischer took to Marc Steinās Substack to reveal the initial contract that Chicago offered Giddey earlier in the offseason, and how the negotiations have developed since then.
āLeague sources say that the Bulls made an offer of $80 million over four years to restricted free agent Josh Giddey when the offseason commenced on June 30,ā reported Fischer. āGiddey, of course, is seeking an annual salary in the $30 million range. Chicago has been anchored in the $20 million range in annual value ever since its original offer.ā
Fischer also reported that other teams have shown interest in potential sign-and-trade scenarios for Giddey, but so far nothing has materialized. āThe Bulls have likewise become generally known over the past few years as a team that can be challenging to talk trade with. Rival executives have had trouble for several trade deadlines in a row trying to pinpoint whether the Bulls were or werenāt looking to offload some of their veteran players,ā Fischer noted.
Josh Giddey #3 of the Chicago Bulls celebrates with teammates after hitting a game-winning three pointer as time expired against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Chicagoās stance on Giddey makes sense given his breakout performance late last season. The 6ā8ā guard played the best basketball of his career during that stretch, showcasing the playmaking ability that made him such an intriguing draft prospect back in 2021.
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This past week, reports surfaced that the Golden State Warriors were interested in Giddey in NBA free agency, potentially exploring a sign-and-trade with the Bulls for Jonathan Kuminga, according to Fischer. However, while the Warriors are intrigued by Giddey, it may be wise to pump the brakes on that scenario for now.
In another report by Fischer, a key obstacle could prevent any sign-and-trade between the Warriors and Bulls involving Giddey and Kuminga. While Golden Stateās interest is legitimate, a deal appears unlikely. From the Warriorsā perspective, their unwillingness to include either Buddy Hield or Moses Moody in the trade talks is where discussions stall.
āGolden State values both players quite highly, sources say, while maintaining high expectations for both Hield and Moody to be consistent contributors who can provide the necessary spacing to boost the Warriorsā half-court offense in the postseason,ā Fischer reported.
Last season, Giddey averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 46.5 percent from the field, 37.8 percent from three, and 78.1 percent from the free-throw lineānumbers that explain why the Bulls see him as a central piece in their long-term plans.
