Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls remain in a stalemate in his restricted free agency. Giddey could ultimately take the $11 million qualifying offer and then become an unrestricted free agent next offseason when more teams have cap space and he is no longer hindered by match rights.
The Bulls are approximately $8 million to $10 million per year apart in negotiations. Giddey entered training camp looking for a contract worth $30 million per season, similar to what Jalen Suggs signed for with the Orlando Magic.
After the break, Giddey averaged 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists, shot 45.7% from long range and improved defensively.
“I think from the 50 games at the start of the season, it was two completely different players, and not only talking statistically,’’ Giddey said. ‘‘It was a confidence level, aggression level, effort level. You asked me to sell myself, I’d say the second half of the year is the player who I am. The first half was a completely different guy. Confidence was down, aggression down. Probably was down trying to fit in too much.”
Last offseason, the Bulls signed Patrick Williams to a five-year, $90 million contract before he could test the market. The contract almost instantly became one of the most problematic in the NBA.
“It’s a negotiation,” a source with the Bulls said.
