The Chicago Bulls’ contract standoff with Josh Giddey has continued, with the Australian still yet to reach an agreement.
A restricted free agent, he was expected to be one of the first names off the board this off-season, but there has been little movement between him and the team since free agency opened in July.
As the 2025-26 NBA season rapidly approaches, one NBA analyst has pitched a drastic tactic for Giddey to sway the team, suggesting he could consider sitting out games until his demands are met.
Could Josh Giddey miss season start?
Josh Giddey could miss the start of the upcoming NBA season, if a contract is not reached with the Chicago Bulls.
Today’s runs at CourtSide in Melbourne were probably the best yet.
Here are some clips of Josh Giddey, Johnny Furphy, and Wisconsin forward Austin Rapp. pic.twitter.com/v1urOlOChv
— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) August 26, 2025
According to The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, Giddey could sit out a number of games to start the season in order to force Chicago’s hand.
“If I’m Giddey, I’m probably just willing to miss games. It’s not like you’re getting fined or anything, you’re not under contract,” Vecenie said during an episode of the Game Theory Podcast.
“I’m probably willing to sit here in Restricted Free Agency even into the season if I have to, and be like ‘Okay Chicago you want to win games?’
“You don’t have enough margin for error to actually make the play-in and not have Josh Giddey for 10 games this year, probably.
“I wonder if that deadline comes in and becomes a real factor here.”
While Giddey was reportedly expected to re-sign with the Bulls by the end of August, there has been little momentum between the two parties, with just over a month remaining until pre-season begins.
