Restricted free agents around the NBA are in the worst possible situation at the moment. It’s very unfortunate, but it helps the Chicago Bulls’ scenario.
As of now, the Bulls have no reason to give Josh Giddey all the money he wants, unless they genuinely believe he’s worth it.
Even then, it isn’t like another team around the league could realistically give him what he’s looking for.
According to a recent report from Brett Siegel, Giddey is currently seeking a deal similar to Jalen Suggs, who landed a five-year, $150 million deal.
He wants something in the $30 million AAV range, but the Bulls aren’t willing to give him that.
“The two sides met at NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, where Giddey and his camp made it clear they want a contract similar to that of Jalen Suggs (5-year, $150 million) and Immanuel Quickley (5-year, $162 million) and have not come down from their $30 million annual average value asking price,” Siegel wrote.
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Siegel later added that the Bulls haven’t offered Giddey more than $20 million per year, a $10 million difference between the two sides.
“The Bulls have not offered more than a four-year contract in the $20 million per year range,” Sigel continued. “However, the two sides are expected to reunite and negotiate and find common ground on a new deal this summer. No team outside of Chicago has expressed legitimate interest in Giddey due to his contract demands.”
It remains uncertain how things will play out over the next few weeks to months, but Giddey isn’t in the position he had hoped for entering the offseason.
It’s an unfortunate reality of the new CBA, as restricted free agents around the league continue to face this issue.
