The latest Chicago Bulls news during the offseason dead period, including where the team lands on some summer power rankings, what improvements to expect from Matas Buzelis this year and where things stand in Josh Giddey negotiations.
A familiar landing spot in the NBA power rankings
As a perpetual play-in franchise, it’s no surprise that Chicago has consistently come in near the bottom third of the league in any power rankings over the last few seasons. Considering their lack of offseason moves, the Bulls are in familiar territory in The Athletic‘s most recent list.
Law Murray has Chicago 22nd, which is three spots lower than where he had them earlier this summer. That puts the team in his “Not the Tier to Fear” category behind the Sacramento Kings.
Giddey’s restricted free agency, of course, highlights Murray’s explanation. He also touches on the trade that sent Lonzo Ball to Cleveland for Isaac Okoro, Talen Horton-Tucker’s exit, Tre Jones’ new contract and Jevon Carter picking up his player option.
Matas Buzelis is ready to shoulder more of the load
The 20-year-old Buzelis entered the starting lineup for the Bulls’ final 31 games last year and showed flashes of why he could be the future centerpiece of the franchise. His aggressive mentality, explosive athleticism and thirst to improve have him ready to make a leap in his sophomore NBA campaign.
He’s ready to take on a more significant playmaking load in 2025-26, according to Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune, something he put on display during his two games at summer league in Las Vegas.
Buzelis won’t overtake Giddey or Coby White as a pick-and-roll ballhandler in half-court sets, but using those playmaking skills in transition would give the Bulls another long, versatile threat capable of starting a one-man fast break and helping Chicago play even faster than it did last season.
Latest on Josh Giddey contract negotiations
In short, the update on discussions between the Bulls and Giddey on a long-term contract extension is that there is no update. The two sides are expected to come to an agreement at some point this offseason; it’s just a matter of when and for how much.
Giddey wants a new deal similar to the one Orlando Magic point guard Jalen Suggs got last summer — five years and $150 million. Unfortunately, with the restricted free agent market unusually quiet, as no teams have enough cap space to make Giddey a legitimate offer, he’s unlikely to reach that mark.
Negotiations have reportedly been tense at certain points, but all signs point to Giddey returning to his role as the Bulls’ floor general next season. For once, though, Chicago’s front office seems to recognize it’s working from a position of power and is standing firm on an offer closer to $20 million per year than the $30 million Giddey desires.
