Restricted free agent Josh Giddey hasn’t been attending Bulls Summer League games despite being in Las Vegas this past week, but there are no signs that contract talks between the two sides have “ever become contentious,” writes Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune (subscription required).
According to Jamal Collier of ESPN, Giddey had lunch with Bulls head coach Billy Donovan in Vegas and the guard’s agent was scheduled to meet with team executives at some point this week.
As Poe notes, there’s a significant gap to bridge in the contract negotiations between Giddey and the Bulls. While the 22-year-old is reportedly seeking an annual salary in the range of $30MM per year, the Bulls would prefer something closer to $20MM per year, says Poe. Reaching a compromise will likely take some time, but multiple sources tell Collier that they anticipate the point guard and the club to come to terms on a new contract sooner or later, and Poe hears the same thing.
Here are a few more notes and rumors on free agents and other NBA contract talks:
- While the Suns are expected to add a guard to their roster to replace Bradley Beal, Gerald Bourget of PHNX Sports tweets that neither Chris Paul nor De’Anthony Melton seems likely to end up in Phoenix. John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7, meanwhile, says (via Twitter) that the Suns don’t have interest in former No. 1 overall pick Ben Simmons.
- Trae Young was involved in recruiting Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Luke Kennard to Atlanta this offseason and is excited about what the Hawks‘ new-look roster is capable of, Marc J. Spears of Andscape said during a TV appearance on ESPN on Monday (Twitter video link). However, according to Spears, there haven’t been any “substantive talks” yet about a contract extension for the four-time All-Star. Young holds a player option for 2026/27, so he could become an unrestricted free agent as soon as next July.
- Appearing on NBA Today on Tuesday (YouTube link), ESPN’s Brian Windhorst noted that even if Luka Doncic intends to sign an extension with the Lakers this summer, it may not happen right away once his restrictions lift on August 2 (six months after his trade to L.A.). As Windhorst observes, Doncic will be overseas with the Slovenian national team preparing for this year’s EuroBasket tournament and typically hasn’t made a habit of finalizing NBA contracts until after his time with the national team is over.
A reunion with Cameron Payne and the Suns makes sense.
bingo
Giddey $26/yr S&T with MEM.
MEM Gets
Giddey (only counts for $13M in trade), Vuc, Phillips, and three 1st
CHI Gets
Ja and Konchar
Ja to Chicago seems unsafe.
Still like my idea of Giddey for Jalen Green
Think I’d would be great for both sides
As for the suns not likely to get CP3 or Melton and no interest in Simmons. Likely means they end up with some random that’ll only be good for 15 minutes a game. Prime Simmons would actually be a beast for him side.
Booker Brooks Simmons and then Williams or Maluach at centre that’s tough hahaha
Bulls just got off of Lavine, why would they go for a poor man’s Lavine, especially with Coby White on the roster.
Suns are looking for gamers at this point, players who are willing to do the dirty work, like, uh, get fouled and make dunks.