At the beginning of the offseason, the Chicago Bulls made a shocking trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Bulls shipped out defensive ace Alex Caruso in exchange for Josh Giddey. Giddey spent the first three seasons with the Thunder. Despite looking like a major part of Oklahoma City’s future when he started his career, the Australian native began losing favor in the team’s rotation. This culminated in his worst season last year. Now that he is in Chicago, Giddey has a new opportunity to rejuvenate his career and get back on track.
At 22 years old, Giddey has the chance to contribute to the Bulls immediately and for the long haul. However, the former No.6 overall draft pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Given that he did not receive a new deal before the October 21st deadline, Giddey will likely enter restricted free agency next season. Additionally, according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst (podcast link), the two sides never had “any meaningful negotiations” pertaining to a new contract, something that was “a surprise” to Windhorst.
“There was never really any meaningful negotiations there,” said Brian Windhorst on The Hoop Collective Podcast. “Which was a surprise to me. I thought the Bulls were going to be under some amount of pressure to get him done because they had traded Alex Caruso for him.”
Heading into the 2024-25 season, per ESPN, Giddey is the projected starting point guard for Chicago.
Chicago Bulls Had No ‘Meaningful Negotiations’ With Josh Giddey
Josh Giddey ‘Loves’ Being in Chicago
Despite only being with the team for a few months, the former Thunder guard has already made it clear he enjoys being a member of the Bulls. Additionally, per Bulls insider K.C. Johnson, Giddey is “confident” the two sides will come to terms on a new contract.
Josh Giddey said he “loves being here” and he’s confident a contract “will take care of itself.” Said the potential extension weighed on him more last season than the lack of one will this season.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) October 22, 2024
To start the season, Giddey will assume a relatively large role for the Bulls. Though he is their starting point guard, Giddey has experience playing both guard and forward positions. Additionally, with Lonzo Ball now officially off the injury report, it would not be a shock for him to regain his starting spot in the near future.
The Last Word
It remains to be seen exactly how good of a fit Giddey is in Chicago. On paper, however, he should provide a lot of value to the team. The two sides did not agree to a new contract. However, there is still reason to believe Giddey will remain with the team in the future.
Giddey will make his official Bulls debut tonight on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans. Furthermore, on Saturday, Giddey will suit up against his former team for the first time as the Thunder head to Chicago for the Bulls’ first home game of the new campaign.
