Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Matas Buzelis, Chicago Bulls
Josh Giddey‘s contract stalemate with the Chicago Bulls currently shows no sign of ending. There is reportedly a disconnect between Giddey’s camp and the Bulls front office over the annual average value being discussed.
Currently, no other team has made Giddey a contract offer. As such, the only leverage he has is the threat of signing his qualifying offer, which would make him an unrestricted free agent next summer. Therefore, the most logical outcome is that he still signs a new deal with the franchise before the start of the new season.
On Wednesday, August 13, Matas Buzelis sent a cryptic message to Giddey on Instagram. He posted the emoji of a pen and then what looked like a contract. Whether Buzelis is hinting that a deal is drawing near or if he was urging Giddey to re-sign with the team is unclear.
Is Matas Buzelis suggesting that the Chicago Bulls and Josh Giddey might come to an agreement soon?
(📸 via Matas Buzelis’s Instagram) pic.twitter.com/nZuowZCSTX
https://twitter.com/BullsOnTap/status/1955801562044862896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1955801562044862896%7Ctwgr%5Eb74459feb71a5f133f49084766c05f32f25789fa%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fheavy.com%2Fsports%2Fnba%2Fchicago-bulls%2Fmatas-buzelis-sends-cryptic-message-to-bulls-josh-giddey%2F
Buzelis enjoyed a strong rookie season for the Bulls. Both he and Giddey project to be long-term cornerstones of the franchise’s rebuild. As such, it’s understandable why the young forward would want the team’s star player to reach an agreement with the franchise.
According to PBP Stats, Giddey provided Buzelis with 40 assists last season, leading to 99 scored points. Buzelis returned the favor on 11 occasions, giving Giddey an additional 28 points on the season.
Bulls Want to Strike a Deal By the End of August
According to NBA Insider Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Bulls would like to re-sign Giddey to a new deal before the end of August. Siegel also noted how both camps are actively working toward a favorable resolution.
“Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls are expected to reach a resolution on a new contract, likely in the three-year range, by the end of August,” Siegel reported. “The Bulls could increase their offer, but they have stood firm on keeping a new deal in the $20 million AAV range. The latest speculation from agents not involved in negotiations suggests something in the $65 million to $70 million range.”
Giddey’s unique skill set has been a perfect fit in Billy Donovan’s system. And with multiple years of development ahead of him, Chicago would be foolish to let Giddey slip through their fingers.
Bulls Have Been Keen to Re-Sign Giddey
During a recent conversation with Keith Smith of Spotrac at NBA Summer League, an anonymous front office executive explained the team’s desire to get an agreement with Giddey over the line.
“We want to get a deal done with Josh,” The executive said. “He’s as important of a player as we have. We see him as a foundational player for us. I hope we can find a deal that makes sense for us and him and that we’ll be together for a long time.”
Giddey is reportedly holding out for $30 million per year on his next deal. Chicago may need to meet Giddey closer to his asking price to get a deal over the line. However, if reaching an agreement helps secure the Bulls’ future chances of success, it will be a price worth paying.
Adam Taylor is a basketball reporter covering the Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns for Heavy. He has also written for CelticsBlog, USA Today, Yardbarker and FanSided. Adam has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing from Open University. More about Adam Taylor
