The Chicago Bulls and Josh Giddey remain apart on a new contract, with ESPN’s Bobby Marks reporting that the team has a four-year, $88 million deal on the table.
That works out to $22 million per season, only slightly higher than the five-year, $90 million extension the Bulls gave Patrick Williams a year ago.
The question is whether that number will be enough for Giddey, who reportedly wants closer to $30 million annually.
“Chicago has an offer of four years, $88 million is on the table for Giddey,” Marks said, noting that it falls “well below the closer to $30 million a season Giddey is reportedly looking to make.”
The 6-foot-8 point guard has until October 1 to make a decision. If he declines, he could play this season on his one-year, $11.1 million qualifying offer and hit unrestricted free agency next summer, the same route Brooklyn’s Cam Thomas recently chose.
Giddey’s argument for a bigger deal is tied to his post-All-Star break performance.
He averaged 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists over that stretch, while shooting 45.7 percent from three.
“Giddey believes he should be paid in the Derrick White and Tyler Herro range of around $30 million a season,” Marks explained.
Still, the Bulls front office may not be convinced. Giddey is a career 33 percent shooter from deep, and the team is wary of banking on a two-month hot streak. Chicago is also working to clear cap space and maintain future flexibility, which complicates committing to a near-max salary.
League perception is another factor. Around the NBA, Giddey is viewed as a good player but not necessarily a franchise cornerstone. As Kurt Helin of NBC Sports put it, he is seen “more of an 82-game player than a 16-game player.”
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