Josh Giddey transitioned to the Chicago Bulls last season, concluding his tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder. His initial season with the Bulls coincided with the final year of his contract carried over from OKC, which ended after the 2024-25 campaign.
Now a free agent, Giddey remains in contract negotiations with Chicago, but no agreement has been reached. The primary obstacle is reportedly the guard’s camp seeking a $30 million annual salary, a figure the Bulls have been reluctant to meet.
Stacey King Advises the Bulls Against Trading Josh Giddey
With the contract deadlock, the Bulls could consider trading Giddey, a move that would attract attention given his impressive performance last season, averaging 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. The Golden State Warriors have been mentioned as a potential destination for the Australian guard, who remains a valuable asset for any team.
Despite these trade rumors, former Bulls champion Stacey King strongly opposes moving Giddey so soon.
“I’m vetoing that,” King declared during the ‘Gimme The Hot Sauce’ podcast.
“Sending Giddey anywhere. For a kid that young, that has such a high upside, he’s going to be a very good player in this league, whether he’s playing for the Bulls or anywhere.”
You don’t want to be in that ‘regret mode’, like we gave up this guy over a couple of million dollars here and there. —Stacey King, Former Bulls Player
King Pleads for Chicago to Support Giddey Amid Increasing Tension
Giddey’s growing frustration with the stalled contract talks has become increasingly evident, reflecting the tension surrounding his future with the Bulls. Delaying an extension may risk undermining his role and influence within the organization.
King emphasizes that the Bulls should place greater trust in Giddey’s abilities, especially given his consistent near triple-double performances at just 22 years old.
“At the end of the day, this guy’s a walking triple-double. There aren’t too many guys in this league that you can say that, every single night he’s going to be floating around a triple-double,”
King observed.
We gotta have some faith in this guy. —Stacey King, Former Bulls Player
The ongoing impasse over the Josh Giddey Chicago Bulls contract highlights a critical moment for the franchise, which now faces pressure to decide whether to meet his demands or risk losing a young talent with significant potential. How the Bulls respond could shape their future competitiveness and the development of one of their brightest players.