Josh Giddey remains unsigned as the NBA offseason progresses, with his restricted free agency situation still uncertain. NBA insider Jake Fischer, reporting on Bleacher Report on July 24, detailed the slow movement around Giddey’s contract talks.
Fischer explained that while the initial wave of free agency concluded quickly, many restricted free agents—including Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, and Quinton Grimes—have yet to finalize deals. Discussions involving Giddey and other players have been complicated by ongoing sign-and-trade considerations, particularly involving teams like the Chicago Bulls.
According to Fischer, Kuminga’s side has sought approximately $25 million per year in potential sign-and-trade talks, but progress on a deal involving both Kuminga and Giddey has stalled. The Bulls have shown consistent interest in Kuminga, dating back to prior trade discussions with Golden State, yet no breakthrough has emerged.
Fischer noted the Bulls-Giddey connection could be influencing both players’ negotiations. The complicated sign-and-trade math, governed by salary cap rules like the base year compensation, is making it harder to finalize deals that would pay both players at the levels their camps desire.
While Kuminga seems likely to return to Golden State on a short-term deal that maintains his trade eligibility for the upcoming season, Giddey’s situation remains unclear. Fischer indicated that Giddey’s side has yet to accept offers that match the market rate for starting-caliber players, which currently hovers around $30 million per year for young talents.
This deadlock reflects a broader trend in the offseason, where teams are increasingly cautious about paying above the mid-level exception due to the constraints of the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
Fischer also mentioned that Cam Thomas, another notable restricted free agent, might be the most likely to accept a qualifying offer, given the limited market interest and Brooklyn Nets’ current offer structure.
For Giddey, the next steps depend heavily on whether his camp and interested teams can bridge the gap between salary expectations and trade mechanics. Until then, the restricted free agent market remains largely in stasis.
