Chicago is reluctant to offer Josh Giddey a deal worth over $20 million
Four players were restricted free agents who have not signed a deal before the 2025-26 season. One is Chicago’s PG, Josh Giddey. The 2024-25 season was his first year with the Bulls.
He was impressed by Chicago, especially in the second half of the season. Although his game has achieved a new level with the Bulls, the two sides are still far apart in contract negotiations. Recently, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that the Chicago Bulls were reluctant to offer deals worth more than $20 million in annual average value. Giddey is seeking a $30 million contract per quarter. Will the two sides reach an agreement during the offseason?
Will Josh Giddey sign a long-term deal with the Bulls?
The Bulls anchor Josh Giddey at $20 million a year
– REALGM (@realgm) August 10, 2025
The Thunder chose Josh Giddey in Australia at the sixth pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Giddey spent the first three seasons of his career in Oklahoma City. He started all 210 regular season games he played for the Thunder. It was in the 2023-24 playoffs that Giddy began to play for OKC’s substitute. In the 2024 offseason, the Thunder traded Gidey to the Bulls in exchange for Alex Caruso.
During the Bulls’ first season, Josh Giddey played 70 games and played 69 games. He averaged 14.6 points per game, with a career-high 8.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. Although he was arguably a productive season in the NBA, the Bulls and Gidey were far apart in contract negotiations.
Bulls offer Josh Giddey a 4-year, $80 million deal @JakelFischer pic.twitter.com/xdydovd3k5
– Legion Basketball (@legionhoops) August 10, 2025
Giddey demands a $30 million deal per quarter. However, the Bulls are still locked into a $20 million deal per season or less. As a restricted free agent, Gidey doesn’t have much leverage to Chicago. NBA insider Marc Stein reported that Chicago offered Gidey a four-year, $80 million deal. That’s right, their $20 million cap.
There were some teams interested in Giddey during the offseason, but only one team had enough cap space to make him a legal offer. That would be the Brooklyn Nets. After just picking the 8th PG in the 2025 NBA Draft, they are likely to have no interest in Giddey. In the past, the Bulls’ negotiations with young players remained firm. Lauri Markkenan’s contract was dragged until late August. Eventually, he was traded by the Bulls. Can Chicago reach a long-term deal with Josh Giddey before 2025-26?
