The NBA offseason continues to drone on, and several high-level restricted free agents have continued to play hard-to-get with regard to contract negotiations.
Josh Giddey of the Chicago Bulls, along with the Golden State Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga and Philadelphia 76ers' Quentin Grimes are the most notable names still remaining on the restricted free agency market, but recent reports have indicated that Giddey might be close to accepting a new, long-term deal with the Bulls prior to the start of the 2025-26 campaign.
Even still, disputes over annual salary figures between the two sides persist.
"Bulls are offering Josh Giddey $22M AAV," Spotrac's Keith Smith shared via Twitter/X on Friday morning.
"Giddey wants $30M AAV. Split the difference and go to $25-$26M AAV, right?"
"Feels like this one is close enough that a deal will get signed. Not sure we're that close with Quentin Grimes or Jonathan Kuminga. QO feeling more and more likely."
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Giddey surely believes he is ready for a gargantuan payday after putting forth a remarkable effort post All-Star break with the Bulls to close the 2024-25 season, as he contributed 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists on an impressive 62.0% true shooting percentage.
The 6-foot-8 guard's All-Star caliber second half could mean that he's deserving of his reported $30 million per year asking price, but Chicago is evidently unwilling to put that kind of stock into a 19-game sample from a meaningless season.
The first domino fell on Thursday when fellow big-name restricted free agent Cam Thomas agreed to return to the Brooklyn Nets on a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer, and his decision could truly spark a swift change in the market.
At just 22 years old and heading into his fifth NBA season, Giddey has shown plenty of star potential, and the Bulls may be on their way to compensating the young combo-guard in the coming days or weeks.
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