Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension, meaning he will head into his first season with the team on an expiring deal.
This is notable because the Bulls made a significant trade, sending away a valuable asset in Alex Caruso, to bring Giddey on board. Despite the importance of the trade, the two sides were unable to strike a deal before the season started.
“There was never really any meaningful negotiations there,” explained Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective Podcast. “That really surprised me. I thought the Bulls would be feeling some pressure to lock him in, especially after they traded Alex Caruso for him.”
Giddey is set to take over as the Bulls’ starting point guard, a position where top players are earning an average of around $30 million annually.
For example, Immanuel Quickley recently signed a five-year, $175 million deal with the Toronto Raptors, while Jalen Suggs inked a five-year, $150 million contract. These recent signings highlight the financial stakes for someone in Giddey’s role.
“They never even got close from what I’ve been told,” Windhorst continued, referring to the talks between Giddey and the Bulls. “That’s certainly something to monitor as the season progresses.”
With no deal in place, Giddey is set to become a restricted free agent in the summer of 2025, and he is represented by agents Daniel Moldovan and Alex Saratsis. How the situation unfolds throughout the season will be a key storyline, as Giddey’s future with the Bulls remains uncertain.
Josh Giddey, Bulls Never Had Any 'Meaningful Negotiations' On Extension https://t.co/47CPskjCle
— RealGM (@RealGM) October 23, 2024
