Bulls Predicted To Make Major Josh Giddey Move in Free Agency

The Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs again this year. They have made the postseason only once (2022) since trading Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017. The Bulls haven't been back to the NBA Finals since 1998. This historic franchise has been stuck in mediocrity for a while.

Some, though, believe the Bulls have a bright future with Coby White, Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis leading the way. All three are under 25 years old.

Giddey becomes a restricted free agent this summer. As a restricted free agent, Giddey can sign an offer sheet with another team and then the Bulls would have 48 hours to match the offer or let the former Oklahoma City Thunder star walk.

During his end-of-the-season press conference, Chicago exec Arturas Karnisovas said he felt good about Giddey's future with the Bulls, who have been predicted to sign the youngster to a five-year deal this summer by Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report.

"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."

Giddey averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.6 blocks in his first season with the Bulls while shooting 46.5% from the field, 37.8% from 3 and 78.1% from the free-throw line.

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.

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.