Bulls score massive win with Josh Giddey extension

As Charania noted, Giddey, who the Bulls acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder in a June 2024 trade, set career-highs in multiple statistical categories last season, including rebounds (8.1), assists (7.2), steals (1.2) and three-point percentage (37.8 percent). Per Stathead, Giddey was one of three players (Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic) to average at least eight rebounds, seven assists and one steal per game. 

Set to turn 23 on Oct. 10, it's reasonable to expect Giddey to improve throughout the length of his extension. He'll also hit unrestricted free agency following his age-26 season, giving him a strong chance of earning a second, even larger free-agent contract based on his current trajectory. 

Both sides should be satisfied with the conclusion of the prolonged negotiations. Giddey won't be playing on a one-year qualifying offer as fellow 2025 restricted free agent Cam Thomas did with the Brooklyn Nets. The deal, while sizable, keeps the Bulls financially flexible.

ESPN NBA analyst Bobby Marks noted that Giddey's contract will likely range from 13.8 percent to 14.5 percent of Chicago's total salary cap, significantly lower than the 25 percent cap designated for max-contract players.

Per Spotrac, the Bulls could carve out up to $80.2M in cap space next offseason. With one of the league's top young talents in Giddey, Chicago could be an attractive destination for 2026 free agents.

The Bulls haven't reached the playoffs since 2022 and have gone 10 seasons without winning a playoff series, the longest drought in franchise history. Chicago has been stuck in the NBA's dreaded purgatory, going 40-42, 39-43 and 39-43 in each of the past three seasons. 

That cycle of mediocrity can be hard to crack, but with Giddey under contract for the foreseeable future, the Bulls might finally break through.