![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_3472,h_1953\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/GettyImages\/mmsport\/24\/01k3vaj99w5nw8kk8p6p.jpg\")
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Let’s get it out in the open\u2014there’s a very real possibility Josh Giddey re-signs with the Chicago Bulls on the qualifying offer. What was once dismissed as unlikely is now a conceivable reality.<\/p>\n
Although Giddey’s qualifying offer is substantially below his reported $30 million asking price, it allows him flexibility next offseason. Moreover, his $11.14 million qualifying offer isn’t drastically lower than the Bulls’ reported offer.<\/p>\n
Remember, Chicago offered the 22-year-old point guard roughly $80 million over four seasons. That’s $20 million on average, but in all likelihood, Giddey wouldn’t earn $20 million next season at a flat rate.<\/p>\n
For example, the player whom Chicago traded for Giddey, Alex Caruso, signed a four-year, $81 million extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder in December. Caruso won’t earn $20 million this upcoming season; he’ll take home $18.1 million (well, less than that to be precise, but you get the point). In 2025-26, he’ll earn $19.5 million, then $20.9 million, and lastly $22.4 million in 2028-29.<\/p>\n
The difference between Caruso’s $18.1 million and Giddey’s $11.14 million isn’t all that different. ESPN’s Tim Bontemps pointed it out\u2014if Giddey signs the qualifying offer, he’d only have to sign a three-year, $69 million contract to get his money back.<\/p>\n
It’s a win-win for the Bulls, but surely a risky maneuver. There’s no telling whether Giddey would actively explore the unrestricted free agent market next season, even if such a gentleman’s agreement were in place. Perhaps, not coming to terms on a long-term contract will miff Giddey and his camp.<\/p>\n
The 6-foot-8 point guard believes he’s worthy of $30 million per season, and rightfully so. He performed at a near-All-Star level over the last quarter of the season. He raised his counting stats to a near triple-double at 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game, while exploring new elements to his game.<\/p>\n
Of course, he’d earn a tick over $30 million in 2026-27, but it comes after missing out on a hefty chunk of change in 2025-26, at least in Giddey’s eyes. The difference between $30 million and $11.14 is substantial.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, his representation should be well aware that it’ll be almost impossible for Giddey to be gifted a deal that pays him $30 million on average. The 22-year-old has no leverage. He’s a restricted free agent with no feasible avenues besides returning to Chicago.<\/p>\n
Unlike his fellow restricted free agents\u2014such as Jonathan Kuminga, who has also received an offer\u2014Giddey\u2019s qualifying offer more closely aligns with the Bulls\u2019 $20 million proposal, making it all the more enticing. Kuminga should, and will continue to play hardball, since his qualifying offer is merely $7.9 million, about $14 million below his reported offer from the Golden State Warriors.<\/p>\n Josh Giddey’s $11.14 million qualifying offer is merely $7 to $8 million below what he’d earn if he were to sign a long-term contract.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":94929,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-94925","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"\n