The Bulls made guard Josh Giddey a four-year contract offer worth $80MM when free agency began on June 30, league sources tell Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link).
Multiple reports dating back to last October have indicated that Giddey’s asking price is in the range of $30MM per year, so Chicago’s offer fell well short of that benchmark.
While the two sides have had nearly a month-and-a-half since free agency opened to try to bridge the gap, the Bulls have been “anchored” in the neighborhood of $20MM annually since making that initial offer, Fischer writes.
As a restricted free agent, Giddey can’t sign outright with another team, but he has drawn sign-and-trade interest from a handful of Eastern Conference teams, according to Fischer, who reiterates that the Warriors also have genuine interest in the 22-year-old, as he previously reported.
However, Fischer acknowledges that there doesn’t appear to be a “feasible pathway” to a trade that gets Giddey to Golden State, and the other teams with interest in the former sixth overall pick also haven’t made any headway. The Bulls have “messaged for some time” that they’re not looking to seriously engage in sign-and-trade discussions about Giddey, says Fischer.
Giddey got off to a slow start in his first season as a Bull after being acquired from Oklahoma City in exchange for Alex Caruso, but finished strong, particularly after the team traded Zach LaVine to Sacramento. Between the start of February and the end of the regular season, Giddey averaged 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game with a shooting line of .491/.451/.801 across 25 outings.
As we noted last week when we outlined the key dates and deadlines for restricted free agents, there are no deadlines on tap in August or September. RFAs have until October 1 to decide whether or not to accept their one-year qualifying offers (Giddey’s is worth $11.1MM), though that deadline can be pushed back if the team and player work out an agreement.
While it’s rare for so many top restricted free agents to remain unsigned this late in the offseason, it’s not uncommon for one or two RFA standoffs to extend well into the summer. A year ago, Isaac Okoro eventually re-signed with the Cavaliers on September 17; two years ago, P.J. Washington re-signed with the Hornets on August 29; three years ago, Collin Sexton and Jordan Nwora didn’t resolve their restricted free agencies until September.
Meet in the middle and get it over with. 4 years 100mil seems more than fair for a guy who has the potential to average a triple double.
*reasonable* I should say, from the bulls perspective.
A guy who can run the offense and average a triple-double can ask for a max.
Yeah but he hasn’t accomplished those things yet. He had a solid second half of season. Three years PO 75 mill is fair. He can do his thing. Then get paid after two yrs. I like Giddey. I’m not paying players on potential. Plus he should be looking at other situations. He can show out next two years. Bulls are Not a great organization right now.
Al you are on target.
Yeah, he hasn’t accomplished those things. But he’s not asking for a max, last time I checked. He’s asking for a reasonable 30mil AAV.
If Chicago do 3/75 with a PO, that will be a huge mistake. Houston signed Jabari to 5 years no options, and that was the correct call. Atlanta did the same with Johnson. OKC did that with Shai 4 years ago. NY should have done that with Brunson, they were super lucky that he accepted an extension for below his value last summer. If he didn’t, he’d be on an All-NBA max now, making 30% of the cap, and NY would have a lot of headache when building the squad.
What’s the point of signing Giddey for 2-3 years? He can start eyeing the door in 2026. “But if he proves himself, he’ll sign a big extension in 2 years”. Why wait until he proves he’s a max guy and pay him 50-60 million in 3-5 years if you can sign him right now for 30? 30 million in 29-30 will be below-average starter money.
Giddey and Buzelis are the only 2 players who showed in a Bulls shirt that they deserve to be the future of that club. Giddey has played great basketball, he’s always healthy and available, he was a high lottery pick in a super strong class. But Chicago are playing a stupid game with him, for some reason.
The issue with Giddey is that same as with Kuminga: depending on the sample you choose, you can make any case you want.
Until/unless they get a sustained opportunity that won’t change.
They could be a Trae Young suitor, they have 53M on the books for next year. They can easily offer a max contract to Trae Young and still go after someone else.
Wow, got to be honest, I had no clue that the Bulls were shedding so much salary at the end of this season. I imagine that they’ll re-sign Coby, but they have Bird so they can make other moves first.
Of course, Bulls management will screw it up, so…
Give him a 5/125 or something and eat up all their cap space with guys currently on the roster
Get this kid locked up
White is going to want $40M a year next off season
if you arent going to pay White you better pay Giddey
White is no $40 million player
NO, but reports are thats what he will seek this offseason
Indeed, White is a heck of a player too and his hair is his brand 😂
Unless he has his greatest year and an all star his best hope would be over $25 million a year.
He is trade bait, a good not great player, something like Jamal Crawford, instant offense kind of guy on a contender.
Trade Patrick Williams, Okoro and Jalen Smith for an expiring contracts. (Patrick Williams contract is horrible right now)
Keep Noah, Matas, Ayo and Phillips while trading everyone else for picks.
Giddy and White are extremely overrated. Trade them for picks.
Collect contracts with picks then dumping the contracts.
Tank and build through the draft
This team is in horrible shape
They need a young PG, SG and C prospects in the draft
Or build up what they have now in players Giddys age. Trade their picks for players they want.
They need Williams to have a big first half to get his value up for anyone to want to trade for him. Smith they should keep since his contract is not bad and only for next year.
Arc, Jalen Smith can’t rebound or play defense. He is 6’9 but refuses to contribute on the boards and only stands around the 3PT line. He should be gone immediately. I rather let Julian Phillips see what he can do in those minutes/role.
As for Patrick Williams…..we’re doomed beyond doomed. Only hope is that covid happens again thru the length of his contract, and rolls off our cap.
To trade Smith just like Williams hope he has a good first half and trade him to a team needing a guy that tall. Luckily he doesn’t have a real bad contract.
Anything above $5M AAV for Jalen Smith is a bad contract in my eyes.
“Trade Patrick Williams, Okoro and Jalen Smith for an expiring contracts. ”
Oh, so in other words, trade the picks you’re looking to acquire. LOL.
@Luke 207
“Giddy and White are extremely overrated. Trade them for picks.”
Lol, this is why we need a downvote option here.
You have nothing. Go away casual
@luc – you could’ve just said ‘rebuild’ and that would’ve Master it easier for all.
*made
Giddey at PG and Curry at SG? That would mean another title.
> Giddey at PG and Curry at SG? That would mean another title.
I’m not sure about that one…
Offensively, Giddey is a better passer and playmaker than Podz. But defensively, that would create a glaring deficiency that would have to be addressed with players that the Warriors don’t currently have, especially if they were to lose Kuminga.
While Steph’s offense might be helped by Giddey, Steph’s declining defense won’t be. Giddey will always be an under-average defender at the guard position because he lacks lateral mobility. Giddey plays good team defense, but he is not an on-ball or wing defender.
Giddey is a better passer and playmaker than Podz. You know who else are? Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green. Giddey is a terrible fit with those guys.
Warriors interest now is just a smokescreen. They’re planting seeds for when those guys age out.
Giddey’s offense would take a leap in the backcourt with Steph, and his rebounding is better than Dray’s or Jimmy’s.
Compared to 6’2″ Melton at the other guard, Giddey’s a great fit.
People tend to forget that Melton has a 6’8.5″ wingspan. He is not undersized.
Quickley and Suggs have set the market. Two players who haven’t accomplished anything yet. Suggs was a top lottery pick. Quickley was a late first rd pick. Both got paid on potential. After posting good stats for a period of time.
Quickley — 5 year 175 mill contract at 25 yrs old.
Suggs — 5 year 150 mill contract at 23 yrs old. A rookie Extension …..
So if you are paying on potential. Giddey can’t be worth less than 25 mill. Now times have changed and salary cap makes it harder to pay out on potential. Unfortunately the Bulls aren’t a good organization to use in this example. Reality is that’s who Giddey is dealing with. Imo Bulls should build with Giddey as part of their core. Truth is the coaches new offense isn’t geared for a true PG. Bulls are taking after Warriors and Thunder. Where you don’t need a traditional PG. SOooooo then why get Giddey in first place. This is the Bulls. Giddey should sign three years with a PO for 75 mill. This way he can leave after two yrs. Or Bulls can just trade him at TD or next year.
Lets move on …..
Suggs was All-Defense as a 22-year old.
He also has a phenomenal front-loaded contract (DECLINING structure).
Suggs makes 35M this season, and will be massively underpaid at 26.8M in 2029 (compare to the 25M Mikale Bridges makes in 2026).
Conversely, Mikal Bridges will make 38M in 2029.
Stick to the Knicks goofy.
All clowns clown themselves. All I said was he was paid on potential. Didn’t criticize him in anyway.
Suggs will never be the player Bridges is today. He is one of best 2way players in NBA right now.
Was FIRST team all D already. And SECOND to DPOY. He has avg 25 pts a gm. And won games offensively and defensively. You could say he beat the Celtics ….by himself . Something your SIRRY team can only dream of doing … lmao
And at 27 yrs old. He is just reaching his prine. So the next time uou think you know something you don’t. Look to see who you are talking to. And you will save yourself grief. Lol.
The Magic gave done what Exactly. You need a Freakin mouse to get attention. All Orlando is. Is a place to become a player. Then go to a real to try and win ……. The only team that looks up at you are the Hornets ….. when Knicks play in Orlando. There are mire Knick fans than Magic fans …. Now go away before I really … get upset lol
Even Donald Duck wears Knicks colors
link to x.com
Jalen Suggs is a better player than Mikal Bridges right now.
He has been an All-Defense player much more recently.
He is also far more likely to make All-Defense moving forward.
Bridges has been a major disappointment on that end the last 3 years (ever since his fluke 2022 where voters were bored and didn’t want to vote for Gobert). This includes this past season where he was “good” defensively, but not “great”.
It is unconscionable how you speak this much to say nothing at all. There are 29 other teams. Learn about them before you open your dusty mouth.
@KnickAl
If the Bulls ever offered 3/75, he’d probably take it. Problem is they’re offering 4/80.
Bulls are negotiating. Frankly they are clueless. 75 is with a PO. Giddey has asked for 30 mill. That’s Quickley money. Which he frankly deserves. But times have. changed with new cap. Bulls are just playing hardball. Which is a mistake. He signs QO then you will lose him for a pick. Better to sign him at 25 mill then trade him next year. Its only guaranteed for two yrs. That’s nothing lol.
3-for-3
Al you are 2-for-2 on this thread
If the Bulls let him run the offense and not put someone in there to take the ball away from him, he’s worth the $30M for his offense. He’s always been paired with ball dominant players during his short career but has shown what he can do offensively if given the keys. Get players that can take advantage of his skills – wings who can score and I think you have a pretty good start.
no