Josh Giddey, the restricted NBA free agent point-forward for the Chicago Bulls, is seeking a four-year contract worth $120 million, sources revealed to DallasHoopsJournal. Meanwhile, the Bulls have proposed a significantly lower offer of four years at $80 million, marking a clear impasse in contract negotiations.
Chicago Bulls and External Interest in Giddey’s Future
While the Golden State Warriors have expressed interest in Giddey, the Bulls have made it clear they will not engage in a sign-and-trade deal. Furthermore, no other NBA teams currently have the salary cap space to present an offer sheet to Giddey, limiting his alternatives outside Chicago.
Performance and Career Background of Josh Giddey
Last season, Giddey posted impressive statistics, averaging 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game across 70 appearances. He also contributed 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks, with shooting percentages of 46.5% from the field, 37.8% from three-point range, and 78.1% from the free-throw line. Giddey recorded 30 double-doubles and seven triple-doubles, demonstrating his all-around impact.
Giddey joined the Bulls after being acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Alex Caruso, who played a key role in helping the Thunder secure the 2025 NBA Championship against the Indiana Pacers. While Caruso achieved postseason success, Giddey and the Bulls missed the playoffs that year.
Current Contract Options and Future Prospects
Turning 23 in October, Giddey entered the NBA as the sixth overall pick in the 2021 Draft. Throughout his career with both Oklahoma City and Chicago, he has averaged 14.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game. As a restricted free agent, he faces two choices: accept the Bulls’ $80 million four-year offer or decline and play next season on a one-year qualifying offer worth $11.1 million. This latter route would make him an unrestricted free agent after the upcoming season.
Sources indicate that Giddey’s ideal contract would yield an annual salary around $30 million, a figure considerably higher than the Bulls’ present offer. The October 1 deadline looms for him to sign the qualifying offer for next season.
Implications for the Chicago Bulls Franchise
The Bulls have experienced limited postseason success since trading Jimmy Butler in 2016, making the playoffs only once in 2022 and not winning a playoff series since 2015. The team, once dominant in the 1990s with Hall of Famers Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, currently finds itself mired in mediocrity. The outcome of the contract talks with Giddey, their promising young talent, will play a crucial role in shaping Chicago’s immediate future and aspirations to return to championship contention.