Josh Giddey’s restricted free agency talks with the Chicago Bulls appear to have hit a snag, as the Australian guard remains absent from the team’s Summer League games in Las Vegas.
NBA insider Jake Fischer noted on social media that while other veterans were courtside, Giddey’s absence “certainly seems like an indication that negotiations … are not trending in an amicable direction.”
The 22-year-old playmaker has been seeking a contract in the range of $30 million annually, according to league sources. However, Bulls insider K.C. Johnson reported this week that Chicago has never offered, nor even discussed, a deal at that figure during talks.
Giddey was acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Alex Caruso and finished his first season in Chicago with impressive numbers. He averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game while shooting 46.5% from the floor and 37.8% from beyond the arc.
The versatile guard also became just the third player in Bulls history — alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen — to record at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists in a single season. His seven triple-doubles during the 2024–25 campaign highlighted his ability to impact multiple facets of the game.
After extending Giddey an $11.14 million qualifying offer last month, the Bulls secured the right to match any outside offer sheets. So far, no rival offers or sign-and-trade scenarios have been reported, leaving the Bulls effectively negotiating against themselves.
Despite the current gap between Giddey’s camp and the Bulls’ front office, sources familiar with the discussions believe there are no insurmountable barriers to an agreement.
