The Chicago Bulls face an uncertain road ahead, and one of their top priorities is determining Josh Giddey’s value in his next contract.
If last season showed anything, it’s that Giddey has the potential to be a key building block for the Bulls. His impressive performance after the NBA All-Star break has significantly boosted his market value, and he’s now looking for a substantial payday.
According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, negotiations between the Bulls and Giddey remain far apart. Despite this, Giddey has expressed a strong desire to stay in Chicago.
“Could Giddey take a hardline stance by ending talks and opting to play under the $11 million qualifying offer—essentially betting on himself before hitting unrestricted free agency in 2026? Absolutely. But so far, he hasn’t gone that route,” Cowley reported.
In terms of numbers, the gap between the Bulls’ offer and Giddey’s expectations is believed to be around $8 to $10 million annually.
“Both sides want to make this work—Giddey wants to remain in Chicago, and the Bulls view him as a franchise cornerstone, especially considering they acquired him last offseason by trading Alex Caruso to the Thunder. But they remain significantly apart financially,” Cowley noted.
While there’s still time for both parties to reach an agreement, Giddey’s contract situation isn’t the only pressing issue the Bulls must address. The team also needs to resolve contract negotiations with two-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic, another key piece of the puzzle moving forward.
