The Toronto Raptors dished out a massive contract extension to Immanuel Quickley last summer, and that decision, however indirectly, could be having an unfortunate impact on the Chicago Bulls’ ability to re-sign Josh Giddey.
Like Giddey this offseason, Quickley was a restricted free agent when the Raptors decided he was worth a five-year, $162.5 million deal. Giddey — unsurprisingly, given what Quickley got 12 months ago — is aiming for an extension worth $30 million per year. The Bulls are offering closer to $20 million annually.
As negotiations move forward, deals like Quickley’s are giving Giddey a legitimate argument to make: If he’s worth that much, I deserve at least that much too.
Raptors’ Immanuel Quickley deal screwing Bulls in Josh Giddey dispute
Before signing his extension at 24 years old, Quickley had career averages of 13.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 291 games (65 starts) for two teams in four NBA seasons.
ESPN NBA insider Bobby Marks referenced Quickley’s deal and how it’s affecting talks between Giddey and the Bulls:
“The Immanuel Quickley contract…has totally screwed up restricted free agency. That’s where agents are looking at, like the benchmark. Certainly, Josh Giddey’s like, ‘I want that contract there.’ That number has screwed up a lot of things.”
ESPN’s Bobby Marks
In his first four years, Giddey has averages of 14.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists with 279 starts under his belt at age 22. Strictly based on stats alone, Chicago’s floor general is more valuable than Quickley, and that’s not accounting for his massive jump as a player last season or his importance to the Bulls.
Orlando Magic point guard Jalen Suggs is another name that often comes into play when setting that benchmark Marks detailed. Suggs signed a five-year, $150 million contract, a number that Giddey hopes to reach.
Unfortunately for the Aussie, this offseason’s restricted free agent market is bone dry. Only the Brooklyn Nets have ample cap space, and they’ve shown no interest in Giddey. The Bulls hold all the leverage, but play hardball for too long, and Chicago risks alienating its franchise point guard.
Giddey’s extension will almost certainly get done; it’s just a matter of when, for how much, and the structure of the contract. From the Bulls’ side, though, negotiations would presumably be going more smoothly had the Raptors not made a massive overpay to keep Quickley.
