The Chicago Bulls have not re-signed Josh Giddey, so the 22-year-old remains a restricted free agent. They traded Alex Caruso to get him and made Giddey their starting point guard. The Bulls can’t be surprised he wants to be paid like one. The going rate is $30 million per year, which is his rumored ask (subscription required). The two sides still don’t have a deal.
Giddey is a unique player, but there was clear growth with the Bulls. He shot 37.8 percent from 3-point range and averaged 1.2 steals. Questions about his ability to space the floor and defend led the Thunder to trade him. The 22-year-old is motivated to prove his doubters wrong and took a positive first step with the Bulls last season.
Chicago knew Giddey had one year left on his contract when they traded for him, which makes it even more shocking that the 22-year-old is still unsigned one month into free agency. There is no questioning his talent, but the Bulls are trying to keep his salary down.
Josh Giddey remains a restricted free agent
The market for restricted free agents has been brutal. Brooklyn was the only team with significant cap space this offseason, but they decided against adding in free agency. That left every restricted player searching for a sign-and-trade or returning to their current team. The teams are using the leverage to squeeze every dollar, which is wise in the second apron era.
Giddey has no reason to flinch. Training camp is months away, and there is no reason to accept a lowball offer. The Bulls have shown faith in the 22-year-old by trading for him and making him their starter. They don’t want to lose him. Giddey must create the threat to get Chicago to pay. He has time to make it happen.
Over his final 25 games, the 6’8 guard averaged 20.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.4 steals in 33.4 minutes per game as Chicago went 13-12. Giddey shot 49.1 percent from the field and 45.1 percent on his threes over that stretch. He will get the Bulls running and create plenty of easy buckets. Chicago could be better than expected in a weak Eastern Conference this season, especially if Giddey takes another step forward.
The Chicago Bulls need Josh Giddey. They don’t want to give him a massive contract, but the franchise must realize that the prices go up as the salary cap rises. $30 million per year is what a starting point guard makes in the modern NBA. The Bulls clearly view Giddey as their option and should pay him accordingly.
It is stunning to see him still waiting on the open market. This feels like a stalemate that is not close to being finalized. All Bulls fans can do is stay tuned for all the latest.