The Chicago Bulls have proposed a four-year, $80 million contract extension to restricted free agent Josh Giddey, aiming to secure the young guard’s future with the team. The offer, however, has triggered criticism from fans who question Giddey’s value, while the Golden State Warriors are reportedly pursuing the star amid ongoing negotiations.
Mixed Reactions Emerge Over Bulls’ Extension Proposal
While the Bulls have positioned the extension at an average of $20 million per year, many fans argue that Giddey does not yet justify this salary level. On social media platforms, numerous users have expressed that the Bulls should allow Giddey to leave, especially with the Warriors potentially interested in acquiring him. Supporters and critics alike have voiced opinions on the high stakes of the negotiation.
Industry insider Jake Fischer revealed that Giddey’s representatives perceive the Bulls’ offer as insufficient. According to Fischer, Giddey and his camp are targeting an annual salary near $30 million, which is substantially higher than Chicago’s current proposal.
“League 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. Giddey, 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.”
—Jake Fischer, Insider
Should Giddey secure a $30 million yearly deal, he would become the highest-paid player on the Bulls roster, surpassing Nikola Vucevic by approximately $10 million per season. However, considering Giddey’s 2024–2025 season averages of 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game, the expectation for such a lucrative contract appears ambitious at this stage of his career.
Golden State Warriors Evaluate Potential Trade for Josh Giddey
The Golden State Warriors are facing a similar contract situation with Jonathan Kuminga, who has been offered a two-year, $45 million extension but reportedly desires roughly $30 million annually. In light of this, the Warriors are exploring a sign-and-trade scenario that could involve trading Kuminga to the Bulls in exchange for Josh Giddey.
“Golden State would be interested, depending on how the machinations could go in some kind of Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga sign-and-trade,”
—Insider, Bleacher Report Livestream
The Warriors have shown interest in Giddey since the 2021 NBA Draft, during which the guard was selected sixth overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although Golden State chose Kuminga with the seventh pick, the team’s front office previously considered selecting Giddey if Kuminga had been unavailable.
“Giddey went No. 6 to OKC, and the Warriors happily took Kuminga. But there’s very much a world where the Warriors would have taken Giddey at seven if Kuminga was off the board.”
—Insider
If the trade materializes, Giddey would potentially join Stephen Curry in the Warriors’ backcourt, while Buddy Hield would assume a leadership position for the team’s second unit, reshaping Golden State’s player dynamics.
Contract Standoff Highlights Ongoing Challenges in NBA Negotiations
The ongoing contract dispute underscores the complexities teams face balancing financial commitments and talent retention in the NBA. For the Bulls, the decision on whether to meet Giddey’s valuation or risk losing a promising young guard will have long-term implications. Meanwhile, the Warriors’ interest suggests that Giddey remains a sought-after asset whose future could shift the competitive balance between these franchises.
As discussions continue, Josh Giddey’s contract situation will remain a focal point of attention for fans, analysts, and teams alike, shaping offseason movements ahead of the new NBA campaign.