The Chicago Bulls are in Las Vegas for summer league, with many players and coaches in attendance. However, Josh Giddey has been noticeably absent from the festivities, at least within the vicinity of his current team.
The Bulls acquired Giddey in a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2024 offseason, and he even stepped his game up after the All-Star break.
However, Giddey is now in the limbo that is restricted free agency.
“Josh Giddey is in Las Vegas, but has noticeably been absent from both Bulls games at Summer League,” NBA insider Jake Fischer reported on X on July 12. “Several veterans just sat courtside here. Certainly seems like an indication that negotiations between the point guard and Chicago are not trending in an amicable direction.”
Giddey, who turns 23 in October, averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in 70 appearances (69 starts) with the Bulls during the 2024-25 regular season. He posted a 21.2/10.7/9.3 line with 1.5 steals after the break.
The Bulls remain in a position of power regarding Giddey.
Josh Giddey’s ‘Bad Timing’ Good News for Bulls
GettyJosh Giddey watches during the Trans-Tasman Throwdown match between the Australia Boomers and the New Zealand Tall Blacks.
As a restricted free agent, Giddey is subject to the Bulls’ right of first refusal on any offer sheet he might sign. However, the Chicago Sun-Times’ Joe Cowley noted that the market is not set up for Giddey.
Cowley called it “bad timing.”
“Life for NBA restricted free agents this summer continues to be one gut punch after another. Such has been the case for Bulls guard Josh Giddey,” Cowley wrote on July 12. “Because of the penalties in the first and second salary-cap thresholds now smacking teams in the face, players have been unable to involve teams in a bidding war. That’s where the Giddey situation stood Saturday.
“The Sun-Times reported last week that Giddey’s camp still was hoping for a contract akin to the $30 million per year guard Jalen Suggs got from the Magic, but the Bulls haven’t gone there. The dialogue between the sides has remained good, but there is still no resolution.”
Talks between the Bulls and Giddey’s camp broke down in October over his desire for a $30 million annual salary.
Bulls Get Together Could Be Telling
GettyJosh Giddey #3 of the Chicago Bulls celebrates after beating the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Bulls can let the situation play out, though a strained relationship with Giddey is counterproductive. They could get a good read on where Giddey stands in the coming days.
“Bulls already gathered once this offseason in LA for workouts/team bonding,” Chicago Sports Network’s K.C. Johnson reported on X on July 12. “I’m told there are plans for second gathering before training camp.”
Johnson did not specify if Giddey was part of the previous session.
Giddey spent time this offseason alongside fellow Aussie NBAer Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks in Australia.
Nothing will be settled until Giddey signs his name to a new contract. His presence in his teammates’ chemistry-building effort would signal that, even if Giddey and the front office are not seeing eye to eye on his deal, he remains bought into helping the Bulls get better.
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