Bulls Extend Qualifying Offer To Josh Giddey

The Bulls have extended a qualifying offer to guard Josh Giddey, making him a restricted free agent, according to RealGM’s transaction log, via Hoops Rumors.

The offer is worth approximately $11.14 million for one year — a number based on Giddey’s rookie scale slot — and effectively gives the Bulls the right to match any contract offer he may receive from another team.

Giddey could opt to play on the qualifying offer in 2025–26 and hit unrestricted free agency next summer. But after a strong finish to his first season in Chicago, that appears unlikely. Giddey is expected to command a multi-year deal well above the value of the QO.

The 22-year-old was acquired from the Thunder last summer in the trade that sent guard Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City. He started slow, averaging 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists with uneven shooting numbers (.439/.324/.750) through his first 40 games.

But following the Bulls’ trade of Zach LaVine to the Kings at the deadline, Giddey’s role expanded — and so did his production. Over his final 30 games, he averaged 18.9 points, 9.1 boards and 7.8 assists while shooting an impressive .490 from the field and .436 from beyond the arc.

Giddey reportedly sought $30 million annually when extension talks took place last fall. He currently ranks No. 5 on Hoops Wire’s list of the top 50 NBA free agents.

In other qualifying offer news, the Rockets have tendered a two-way qualifying offer to big man N’Faly Dante. A rookie in 2024–25, Dante appeared in just four NBA games but averaged 16.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 31 G League outings for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers.