Nearly 100 million dollars for a star but still no agreement: Chicago Bulls increase their offer to try to keep young talent

Negotiations between Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls have taken a new turn. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the Illinois franchise has increased its initial offer, now proposing a four-year, $88 million contract to the Australian restricted free agent.

📌 The Chicago Bulls have raised their initial offer and are now reportedly presenting Josh Giddey with a four-year, $88 million contract.

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This new proposal represents a significant increase from the previous offer of $80 million over four years reported by Jake Fischer on August 10. Despite this financial effort, the gap remains significant with the Giddey camp’s expectations, who are aiming for a five-year contract with an annual salary close to $30 million.

A salary that would rank him among the lowest-paid point guards

With this offer averaging $22 million per season, Josh Giddey would rank 25th among the highest-paid point guards in the NBA, between Terry Rozier ($24.1 million) and Collin Sexton ($17.7 million). A position that reflects persistent questions about his real impact on the court.

The Australian struggled during the 2024 playoffs with the Oklahoma City Thunder, particularly against the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals, where his defensive shortcomings and three-point inefficiency penalized him. However, his first season in Chicago showed encouraging signs with averages of 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in 70 games, and notably an improved three-point percentage at 37.8%.

The Bulls maintain an advantage in these negotiations, as no other franchise has the necessary salary space to make an offer to Giddey. The example of Cam Thomas, forced to accept the qualifying offer of $5.9 million for one year in Brooklyn, illustrates this market reality.

Josh Giddey has until October 1 to sign his qualifying offer of $11.1 million, which would allow him to test the market as an unrestricted free agent next summer. The coming weeks will be decisive in resolving this lingering case.