Four weeks into NBA free agency, the Chicago Bulls and restricted free agent guard Josh Giddey remain at an $8-10 million annual gap in contract talks, though both sides continue negotiating with mutual interest, reports Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.
The Australian prospect’s camp seeks around $30 million per year, while the Bulls prefer closer to $20 million.
A recent poll by The Athletic found most NBA executives agree Giddey’s fair value is between $20-25 million annually, with many optimistic enough to offer four or five guaranteed years – an uncommon commitment in free agency.
Executives praised the 22-year-old playmaker as an anomaly who could merit a longer deal despite teams generally favoring short-term contracts for flexibility.
Some suggested a four-year, $100 million deal, and one even supported five years at $125 million. However, executives tend to be conservative in such estimates, often underrepresenting what players and agents might seek.
Cowley notes there’s no immediate pressure to finalize a deal, as Giddey’s qualifying offer lasts until October, just before training camp.
After a slow start following his trade from Oklahoma City, Giddey finished strong for the Bulls, averaging over 20 points, nearly 10 rebounds, and 8 assists per game in his last 25 outings.
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