Josh Giddey and the Bulls recently came to terms on a four-year, $100MM free agent contract, putting an end to one of the summer’s longest-running negotiations. In the wake of that deal, Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron (subscriber link) broke down how it will impact Chicago’s financial future.
In the short term, the Bulls still have their $14.1MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception available, but with no unrestricted free agents left on the board who would warrant such a deal, Gozlan speculates that the team will probably carry that exception into the season, when it could potentially be used for a rotational upgrade or to take on money to add other future-facing assets.
As for next summer, the Giddey extension doesn’t change the fact that Chicago will look to be a player in free agency. Should the Bulls keep Coby White‘s $24.5MM cap hold on their books – which seems likely barring a trade – they would project to have between $40-50MM in cap space in the summer of 2026. Gozlan notes they could use all of that space and then go over the cap to sign White to a new long-term deal.
There are a number of talented players who could potentially reach free agency next summer, including LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Zach LaVine, and Trae Young. However, given recent trends involving star players avoiding free agency, it’s possible that White, an unrestricted free agent, could be one of the names on the market.
Gozlan speculates that with another strong season, White could command a deal reaching around $30MM annually. He has averaged 19.7 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game on .450/.373/.873 shooting splits over the past two seasons and will turn 26 midway through the season.
Should the Bulls balk at the idea of paying him, he would undoubtedly be a high-level trade chip, but considering both Lonzo Ball and LaVine have been traded since February, White’s spot in the team’s long-term backcourt seems more stable than it previously did.
Gozlan also notes that Chicago has $90MM in expiring deals between Nikola Vucevic, Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter, and Jevon Carter. Trading some of them to bring back long-term money would eat into their 2026 cap flexibility, but could function as a way to essentially conduct free agency business in advance.
Finally, Huerter, Ayo Dosunmu, and Dalen Terry are currently extension-eligible and could cut into the team’s cap space if they’re signed to new deals.
Don’t get why you bring Donovan back …..
I like Josh and believe Bulls did the right thing. They can always move Giddey if they must. Only it seems to me Bulls are trying to run a team offense like Thunder. Where you don’t need a traditional PG like Giddey. Even though his shot has improved. He is more a lead guard. And it was the reason Thunder traded him. So I don’t think Bulls are seeing this thru. Giddey will be gone by TD. Bulls have no leadership in FO imo.
Wut?! 😆😳😆.
I feel like you say things just for shock value.. they just signed Giddey to a 4 yr deal…
Thats so insightful of you ….
I say what my knowledge has taught me. I’m not a Bulls expert. Thats what they have shown me last 5 yrs. Look up the word asset. It’s why they signed Giddey. Cause if they really believed in him. He would have been signed long ago. Most Bulls on this syte don’t even like Giddey lol.
look up the word blockhead. 🤦♂️
Only reason he wasn’t signed sooner is cause his demands were too high and the Bulls had the leverage to not give him 30MM a year like he wanted. The timing of the signing has nothing to do with their commitment to him.
Um, no, the Thunder traded Giddey because he was stuck behind an MVP-caliber player, and they were able to get one of the best lock-down defenders in the sport in exchange for him.
He was starting there. Do you even watch ball.
I doubt you know what a PG is. Cause SGA isn’t one.
The Bulls need a Center that can play defense and make outside shots. They have some nice pieces that can play but they get killed by elite big men.
The Bulls are basically run by a version of a Clown Car. At the draft this year they should have just signed Giddey and traded White, Dosunmu and the expiring 4 for draft picks and players for the future. But that would have taken scouting and top notch evaluating. Yeah right. Then they messed up the draft and took the wrong guy. Same old same old like Jerry.
Why.. Essengue looks like he’ll be good.
Maybe in a few years. Queen could have made an impact now and would have made a Collins trade easy with his replacement already here. The Bulls draft the same guy and chase the same guy every year. Buzelis, Okoro, Essengue, Terry, Phillips. Enough already. Now they are chasing Kuminga too? Please
I’d take Essengue over Queen all day
Queen would be the pick imo that goes against the rest of your post which I feel is valid
He looks good. But is 5 yrs away. They should have drafted Queen or Sorber. Considering Vucevic is gone soon. Vuc could be moved for more value at TD to build this. Yet they drafted a D PF who needs offense and is yrs away from helping. I haven’t seen a real plan from this team for 5 yrs.
Sober already hurt and out for the year…
I have zero confidence in both management to draft recognize and develop talent. Every time they find something they find a way to screw it up.