Josh Giddey becomes a restricted free agent this summer and one NBA analyst predicts the Chicago Bulls to pay up.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report predicted that the Bulls will give Giddey a “bloated” five-year deal this summer.
“The Bulls could lean on their leverage and let Giddey test the market, knowing they have the power to match whatever offer he finds from the few teams with cap space to spare,” Buckley wrote. “But knowing this front office—the same one that gave Patrick Williams a five-year, $90 million deal last summer—and its particular affinity for Giddey, Chicago seems less likely to take that route than it is to just give him a bloated deal before he hits the open market. Prediction: Bulls give Giddey a five-year deal.”
According to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer, Giddey will seek a deal that pays him $30 million annually in restricted free agency this summer.
The Bulls acquired Giddey from the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024. Giddey averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks in his first season with Chicago while shooting 46.5% from the field, 37.8% from 3 and 78.1% from the free-throw line.
“I think he fits really well here,” Bulls executive vice president Artūras Karnišovas said about Giddey at his end-of-the-season press conference. “And I hope to see him here for the next years to come. I feel really good about Josh and his future here.”
The Bulls missed the playoffs again this year. They haven’t made the postseason since 2022.
Giddey turns 23 in October. He has career averages of 14.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Thunder and Bulls.
