Reports since last October have suggested that a salary of $30MM per year is a target for Josh Giddey and his representatives in their contract talks with the Bulls, and that number continues to be mentioned this summer. However, K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network (YouTube link) isn’t convinced that’s what it’ll take for the Bulls to get a deal done with the restricted free agent guard.
“Both the Bulls and Giddey want to get a deal done,” Johnson said (hat tip to Benedetto Vitale of Clutch Points). “The Bulls, knowing that the market is scarce and the restricted free agency market has very little movement…are playing the slow game here.
“I don’t have particular numbers, other than to say that Josh Giddey’s $30MM per year price tag – that’s been well documented in media and out there since last fall when the rookie contract extension was discussed – has not ever crossed my radar. I’ve never heard the Bulls mention that number. So I would not expect Josh Giddey to sign a $30MM (per year) deal.”
While Johnson refers to the situation as a “stalemate” for the time being, he stresses that negotiations haven’t been acrimonious and says he fully expects Giddey to be wearing a Bulls uniform next season.
Here’s more on free agency:
- The Clippers continue to be linked to guards Bradley Beal and Chris Paul and haven’t ruled out the possibility of adding both players, per NBA insider Marc Stein (Twitter link). While Paul is currently a free agent, Beal will need to finalize a buyout with Phoenix before reaching the open market.
- The Knicks have one roster spot open for a veteran free agent and will likely target a guard, ideally one who can handle the ball, per Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (subscriber link). Breaking down a few possible targets who might make sense for the Knicks, Bondy notes that the team has kept an eye on Marcus Smart in case he and the Wizards work out a buyout agreement.
- Former NBA big man Chimezie Metu is nearing a deal with the Turkish team Fenerbahce, according to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com, who says the plan is to finalize a one-year agreement if Metu’s medicals check out. The 28-year-old, who appeared in 260 NBA regular season games from 2018-24, tore his Achilles in March, so Fenerbahce wants to make sure his recovery is progressing as planned. Sources tell Urbonas that Metu is targeting a return to the court before the end of the year.
- After playing for the Spurs during the California Classic Summer League this past week, free agent guard Omari Moore has reached a contract agreement with Valencia, the Spanish team announced in a press release. According to Urbonas (Twitter link), Moore had received NBA interest but has decided to make the move to Spain rather than accepting a two-way contract offer.
The Bulls won’t give Giddey 30 million. They’ll give him 30 million over 4 or 5 years or just over 11 million to leave at the end of the coming year.
Smart would be great on the Knicks. However, he’s most definitely going back to Boston. I think the last spot should be Malcolm Brogdon. Especially if Shamet or Burks don’t want to come back.
Smart has featured in promotional materials with the Wizards lately, and he looks like an active part of the group. He can leave, probably, but chances are he’ll stay for this final year of his contract in Washington. They need vets. Currently, they have about 12 players from the last 3 drafts on the roster, all aged 23 and below.
Anyone would give him what he deserves… but the CHI, which is a total failure of a franchise, there you have it!
No reason to give him that money if there isn’t a market where he would get that elsewhere. Morons overpaid PWill so now they need to find ways to be more prudent. Luckily there doesn’t seem to be a huge market for him.
If some NBA team was willing to give me $30MM to play for them,
I’d be GIDDEY too !!
They messed up giving Pat Will money
Suggs signed a 5yr 150 million dollar deal with Magic.
Quickley signed a 5yr 175 million dollar deal with Raptors.
I was Giddey I ask for 150 mill 5yrs too. Last year in second half of season. Giddey avg 20 a gm. And was close to a triple double. Bulls are clueless. They have no idea how they want to play. Or who they want to play. He is 22 yrs old. And today players are getting paid on upside alone. Banchero, Chet, Quickley, Suggs all haven’t done anything yet. Except have one good year. And showed plenty upside and potential.
If I was Nets I sign Giddey to three yrs 90 mill.
Clippers will make biggest moves this year. This team won 51 gms last year. Traded for Collins, signed Lopez. Now they will add CP3 and Beal. You Have to admit Ballmer is going for it. Clippers finally taking over LA …
Knicks can sign Smart at minimum. Then you do it. But I like Landry and Horford. Horford can help Towns his bud. And gives Knicks a guy who can play the 4-5. I know Knicks are also looking to their young players to step up this year Kolek, Hukporti, Dadiet. McCullar is also suppose to come back.
Good points, until ‘clippers taking over L A’
None of these moves / potential moves equate to going for it / taking over
These moves wouldn’t get them to western finals .. could be a fine team, but no match for Luka, as far as “taking L A” ( in terms of what that really means, and i’m not even a lakers fan )
I just heard the Knicks traded for Romeo Langford. That could be a cheap, good move. He was a top prospect at one time. Whatever happened to Alonzo Trier? He was good then vanished.
Horford won’t sign for the minimum, and is probably going to Golden State. Knicks have room for one more veteran minimum, then a rookie minimum. Shamet is most likely, which is fine.
Let’s compare to some guys.. Quickley – 32 M anyone view that as a good contract?
Is he better than Josh Hart? I’d say no. Is he better than Vassell? Herro?
I get the contracts always just go up but I still wouldn’t give him more than Jabari… 5/125 or take your chances next off-season man.