East Notes: Bulls, Josh Giddey, Pistons, Jaden Ivey, Magic

Bulls

Josh Giddey said contract negotiations with the Bulls never got tense, even though the process stretched into September.

The Australian guard ultimately re-signed on a four-year, $100 million deal as a restricted free agent, per Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.

“When you hit free agency — I was a restricted free agent — rumors will start to circulate, and I let my management and agent handle that side of things with the front office here,” Giddey said. “So I tried to stay out of it. When there was something to know, I knew.

“Other than that, there were never any bad feelings. It’s a negotiation, and that’s how it goes.”

Giddey said he always expected to remain in Chicago and is relieved to have long-term security.

“The fact that it’s locked in and I have four years where I don’t have to think about it is a pretty big weight off my shoulders,” he said.

Pistons

Jaden Ivey is fully healthy after being limited to 30 games last season due to a fractured left fibula, according to Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press.

“The journey has been definitely a grind to get back, to get healed, to get stronger,” Ivey said. “I’m definitely thankful to be in this position right now, be able to be back healthy and to do what I’ve been working for my whole life.”

President of basketball operations Trajan Langdon said Ivey is unrestricted physically but will need time to regain rhythm and game conditioning. The former Purdue star will be eligible for a rookie scale extension through October 20.

Magic

Wendell Carter Jr. is entering camp with confidence after a healthy summer, telling reporters he focused less on tweaking his mechanics and more on believing in his work.

“My confidence is at an all-time high right now,” Carter said, via Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel. “The more you work, the more you’re on the court, you feel like, ‘OK, I know this is going in,’ even if it doesn’t.”

Meanwhile, Anthony Black has looked comfortable in his third training camp.

“When AB is on his game, in my opinion, he’s one of the best guards in this league,” Carter said, per Beede.

Black will be eligible for a rookie scale extension next summer.