If the Chicago Bulls extend Josh Giddey, it will almost force them to build around him, which is a questionable decision if their end goal is to win a championship. Giddey’s play style doesn’t mesh well with other ball-dominant stars, meaning he would likely have to be the primary option in Chicago if the Bulls hand him a rich extension.
According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, rumors have indicated that Giddey is eyeing a five-year, $150 million extension: “It’s been rumored that Giddey is looking for $150 million over five years. That has to be the absolute upper bound for Chicago. And given Giddey’s restricted free agent status, the Bulls can afford to wait him out.”
And even that number may be too much.
Why is Josh Giddey hard to build around?
There’s no denying that Giddey is a very talented player. His passing is electric, and he’s a much-improved shot-maker, too. But his offensive talent is almost exclusive to when he has the ball in his hands.
When Giddey is forced to play in an off-ball role, his value craters. He’s not a good three-point shooter, so he’s not a threat to opposing defenses simply standing in the corners, and he’s not a good enough mover to make himself useful away from the play, a la Josh Hart or Jrue Holiday.
That means, if the Bulls want to capitalize on utilizing Giddey at his best, they need to keep the ball in his hands as much as possible. That’s a dangerous game to play.
What’s the best a team can do with Giddey as the No. 1 option? Can that team make the playoffs? Can they make a run? Is there any world where a Giddey-led team can win a title?
If Chicago decides to extend Giddey, those are all questions they will have to ask themselves.
Why does extending Josh Giddey hurt?
On top of those questions, extending Giddey will also force the Bulls to add a huge chunk of money to their books. Building sustainable success in the NBA is hard. Just ask the Boston Celtics, who are staring down the barrel of a bunch of salary-induced trades this summer.
Adding a $30 million salary to the books could end up seriously impeding the Bulls’ ability to build a contender, especially if the guy who they are paying a ton of money to doesn’t fit in well with other stars.
Chicago would effectively have to find a way to build the perfect team around Giddey while also worrying about the financial impact his contract will have on their books.
That’s a rough situation to be in.