The Chicago Bulls, once a dominant force in the NBA, have struggled to return to their former glory. After a brief postseason appearance in 2022, they missed the playoffs again this season. With a history dating back to the 1990s, the Bulls have not made it back to the NBA Finals since 1998, and they continue to battle mediocrity. However, there is hope on the horizon. The team has some promising young talent, notably Coby White, Josh Giddey, and Matas Buzelis—all under 25 years old.
One of the most pressing matters for the Bulls this summer involves Josh Giddey, the former Oklahoma City Thunder star, who is set to become a restricted free agent. As a restricted free agent, Giddey can sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Bulls would have 48 hours to either match the offer or let him walk. Despite this, there are strong indications that the Bulls are confident about securing his future in Chicago.
At the conclusion of the Bulls’ season, Arturas Karnisovas, the team’s executive vice president, expressed optimism about Giddey’s future with the team. According to Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, there are predictions that the Bulls will offer the young guard a five-year deal this summer. Buckley wrote, “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. 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.”
This summer, Giddey is expected to seek a contract worth approximately $30 million annually. As of now, he has made a significant impact in his first season with the Bulls, averaging 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. His shooting efficiency is also impressive, with a field goal percentage of 46.5%, a 3-point shooting percentage of 37.8%, and a free-throw shooting percentage of 78.1%.
Giddey, who turns 23 this October, has already established solid career averages of 14.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.1 assists across his time with both the Thunder and Bulls. NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer predict Giddey will command a lucrative deal in restricted free agency this summer, and the Bulls are likely to make sure they lock him in for the future.
