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[Chicago Bulls]

NBA analyst reveals where Chicago Bulls want to be with Josh Giddey salary

Josh Giddey hit restricted free agency one year after the Chicago Bulls traded for him and after a really stellar close to the season. It has not yielded the $30 million contract, as the Bulls, according to a report, are well below that salary in contract negotiations. It is still a stalemate, partly because the Bulls don’t seem willing to go too high.

Chicago Bulls’ salary idea for Josh Giddey revealed​

Feb 20, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Chicago Bulls shooting guard Josh Giddey (3) drives the ball towards the basket against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Josh Giddey hoped that he could sign for $30 million annually in restricted free agency, but despite his excellent second half and a weaker free agent market, nothing has gone his way. No one except Chicago has been interested, and they’re not interested in meeting his demand.

CBS Sports analyst James Herbert said that this is part of a larger lid on the RFA market. Giddey isn’t the only one who’s not getting any traction, but his situation is an interesting one given the 2024 trade. “Typically, when a team acquires a player a year before he becomes a restricted free agent, it does so with the intention of keeping him,” he said.

Giddey had seen his role with the Oklahoma City Thunder diminish greatly in the 2024 playoffs, so it was fair that he wasn’t extended immediately after the deal like Alex Caruso was. “After putting up big numbers in the second half of the season, Giddey must expect his bet on himself to pay off,” the analyst added.

NBA: Chicago Bulls at Miami Heat Mar 8, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) passes the ball as Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware (7) and forward Andrew Wiggins (22) defend during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Several reports indicated that he wanted somewhere around $30 million per season, but Herbert revealed that the Bulls have stood pat, only offering much closer to $20 million, a more team-friendly salary. “It is possible that, a year after re-signing forward Patrick Williams to a five-year, $90 million contract that looks disastrous, Chicago has decided it’s time to play hardball,” he said.

The Bulls made a huge mistake bidding against themselves last year with Patrick Williams, so perhaps the front office learned. They could’ve easily caved and made the same exact mistake with Giddey, but so far, they haven’t, and it doesn’t look like it will. That’s good for the Bulls, but it’s certainly not ideal for Giddey.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/analy...aign=analyst-chicago-bulls-josh-giddey-salary

 

[Chicago Bulls]

Recent champion has shown interest in Chicago Bulls’ RFA Josh Giddey

The Chicago Bulls have so far been the only team that wants to have Josh Giddey. That may have officially changed. The Golden State Warriors have reportedly entered the fray, though they would have to go through the sign-and-trade channel to get the 22-year-old guard. Still, this is the first team to show much interest outside of Chicago.

Chicago Bulls have competition for Josh Giddey​

NBA: Playoffs Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors, champions in 2022, have expressed interest in Josh Giddey, the Chicago Bulls’ RFA. However, they have their own issues with a restricted free agent in Jonathan Kuminga, a player they don’t seem to want back too badly.

Chicago does want Giddey back, but not at the cost he has in mind. They want to bring him back on a cheaper, team-friendly deal. That was likely given the lack of interest, but this new report might change things for everyone involved.

According to a report, the Warriors want Giddey, but they’re not willing to send Buddy Hield or Moses Moody to Chicago in a sign-and-trade. They are, however, willing to send Kuminga, effectively putting an end to the sagas for both RFA players who have had a really awful foray into free agency.

“Golden State values both players quite highly, sources say, while maintaining high expectations for both Hield and Moody to be consistent contributors who prove reliable in providing the necessary spacing to boost the Warriors’ half-court offense in the postseason,” NBA insider Jake Fischer said.

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) gestures after making a three point basket against the Miami Heat during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Because of their unwillingness to include the two players, Fischer doesn’t see this as a likely outcome for the two sides. “The Warriors’ refusal to entertain the prospect of surrendering Hield or Moody in those circumstances are among the prime reasons that it’s difficult to envision Golden State and Chicago ever finding common ground on a sign-and-trade construction that features Kuminga and Giddey switching teams,” he added.

Chicago still has all the leverage, though. They’d have to agree to a worthwhile sign-and-trade. They can also just outright sign him. Other teams can, too, but then a team would have to push the envelope so far that the Bulls aren’t willing to match. Only the Brooklyn Nets can feasibly do that at this time.

Fischer also reported that sign-and-trade scenarios are not really of interest to the Bulls, who do want to sign Giddey back and not have him leave for another team, even in a trade.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/recen...gn=recent-champion-interest-chicago-bulls-rfa

 

[Chicago Bulls]

Chicago Bulls executive explains the problem in retaining one of their guards

Coby White was one of the Chicago Bulls’ standout players from last season, seeing career highs in points (20.4), steals (0.9), and field goal percentage (44.3%), with those stats set to improve for next season. However, White enters the offseason as a candidate to get traded, as the Bulls will have a hard time extending him past this season.

Whether White will be on the move to another team or if he’ll remain with the Bulls for this upcoming season has yet to be decided. One Bulls executive gave insight into the ongoing saga with White and if he’ll be a Bull for the 2025-26 season.

Chicago Bulls executive sheds some light on the Coby White situation​

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) reacts with center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Retaining White for the future and the rebuild would benefit the Bulls, as he is a perfect fit for Billy Donovan’s offense. However, the Bulls still have an abundance of guards on their roster and are still looking to unload one more after they traded Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Guardians in late June.

White enters the last season of a three-year $36 million contract and will become an unrestricted free agent next year. The Bulls will have a hard time extending White, as the latest CBA doesn’t allow for the Bulls to meet White’s dollar amount, which one Bulls executive explained to Spotrac’s Keith Smith is the issue.

Bulls executives’ comments from Spotrac:

“The contract is what it is. We probably can’t extend him, because the rules don’t allow for us to pay him enough,” a Bulls front office executive said. “But we want Coby to be a Bull for a long time. He knows how we feel about him.”

White could bring back a decent player if traded​

Mar 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) celebrates his three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers with guard Josh Giddey (3) during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Trading White now while his stock is high appears to be the Bulls’ best course of action, instead of letting him play out the season, where he could get hurt or show a decrease in production. The Bulls could trade White to a team for a solid big man who could fill the need of being a rim protector.

The Bulls have had little success finding a suitor for their current big man, Nikola Vucevic, who is an offensive first big and is likely on his way off the roster. With no takers on Vucevic and Ayo Dosunmu still working his way back from the injury that cost him last season, trading White is the best chance they have at speeding up the rebuild.

Chicago Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) passes the ball to center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the second half against the Detroit Pistons at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chica...aign=chicago-bulls-executive-explains-problem

 

[Chicago Bulls]

Chicago Bulls analyst vetoes any trade idea for Josh Giddey

The Chicago Bulls have so far not found a resolution to the negotiations with Josh Giddey, prompting ideas of alternative solutions. That includes a sign-and-trade with some team, perhaps the Golden State Warriors, who are having their own issues with an RFA. One Bulls insider doesn’t like that, or any, trade idea for Giddey.

Chicago Bulls insider says he doesn’t like any Josh Giddey trades​

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The Golden State Warriors reportedly considered a sign-and-trade with Jonathan Kuminga for Josh Giddey, thereby solving the problems both teams have with their restricted free agents. One insider doesn’t like that idea or any other involving a trade.

Stacey King said, “You got all these different trade proposals. ‘Bulls are going to trade Giddey for Kuminga.’ I’m vetoing that. Sending Giddey anywhere, to me, for a kid that young that has such a huge upside. He is going to be a very good player in this league, whether he’s playing for the Bulls or anywhere [else].”

King added that the Bulls do not want to be in “regret mode” with Giddey, especially after trading Alex Caruso for him. They did not get any picks in the deal, so all they got for a valuable role player was Giddey, so keeping him is key. He doesn’t want to see the Bulls give up on Giddey over “a couple million dollars here and there.”

“At the end of the day,” King said, “This guy’s a walking triple-double. There’s not too many guys in this league that can say that, that you can say every single night is going to be floating around with a triple-double.” The Bulls don’t have a player like that other than Giddey, so King believes they should not lose him to free agency or sign-and-trades.

Josh Giddey drives the ball for the Chicago Bulls during an NBA regular season game.
Credit: Getty Images

What will happen with Giddey remains to be seen. Reportedly, Chicago offered four years and $80 million, but Giddey declined. There are other options to move forward, most of which involve Giddey remaining with the Bulls, but King really doesn’t want to see them explore any option that sends the guard elsewhere.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chica...tm_campaign=chicago-bulls-analyst-josh-giddey

 

[Chicago Bulls]

Why one Chicago Bulls player would make a good podcast host

The Chicago Bulls have a lot of interesting personalities on their roster right now, but one would arguably make the best podcast host. According to an NBA analyst, rookie Noa Essengue would be an ideal member of the team to pick up a mic for one specific reason.

Chicago Bulls rookie earns weird superlative​

MLB: Toronto Blue Jays at Chicago White Sox Jul 7, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls draft pick Noa Essengue throws out a ceremonial first pitch before the Chicago White Sox game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Noa Essengue, according to Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes, would make the best podcast host among all members of the Chicago Bulls. Why? So he could dish on that infamous dunk and reshape the narrative around him.

“The only thing anybody knows about Noa Essengue is that he got meme-dunked into oblivion by Johnny Furphy during Summer League,” Hughes said. “If nothing else, podcasts allow their hosts and subjects to reshape narratives. Essengue could use the platform to shift the conversation away from his posterization.”

Essengue is one of the lesser-known entities in the NBA. He’s an international rookie who wasn’t top-of-the-class like some other previous international prospects, so NBA fans don’t know much about him other than his being on the receiving end of a brutal Summer League dunk.

Hughes went on, “For example, were you aware that the teenaged rookie can solve a Rubik’s cube in under 20 seconds? Or that he has perfect pitch and can hum an on-key imitation of any sound he hears? He’s also an accomplished baker and amateur cartographer.”

Oct 23, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Chicago Bulls logo against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Hughes jokingly admitted that “none of those things are true,” but that they could be. “That’s how easy it’d be for Essengue to take control of his story, expanding it beyond a single snapshot he’d rather forget,” the writer said.

Essengue could be great at a random skill. He could be able to solve puzzles in record time. Maybe he’s a renowned chess player. These are all things that nobody would really know about Essengue until he revealed them, and in Hughes’ eyes, a podcast is the perfect avenue for that. His mysterious nature makes him an untapped reservoir for content, which is ideal in the podcast age.

Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chica...tm_campaign=chicago-bulls-player-good-podcast