NBA Rumors: Bulls ‘want to work together’ with Josh Giddey on contract extension after trade | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly set to speak with Josh Giddey about a potential contract extension, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania during an appearance on the Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective podcast (20 minutes).

“He’s someone I think the Bulls will go with,” Charania said.

“They made that trade and traded Alex Caruso for him. So obviously they value him to a certain extent. But what does he want? What is his mentality in the market? And what are they willing to give?”

Giddey, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, is in the fourth and final year of his rookie contract after being given his team options for 2022-23 and 2023-24. He landed in Chicago after the Bulls acquired him from the Oklahoma City Thunder for guard Alex Caruso last June.

As NBA.com’s John Schuhmann noted, all players selected in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft who have reached the end of their rookie deals are eligible for contract extensions through October 21. players will gain access to restricted free agency in the summer of 2025.

The 22-year-old Giddey averaged 12.3 points on 47.5 percent shooting (33.7 percent from three), 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists last year. He started all 80 games, averaging 25.1 minutes per game.

However, Giddey’s playing time decreased significantly in the play-offs, to the point where he even ended up on the bench for two of the ten games. Giddey averaged 12.5 minutes per game in the second round against the Dallas Mavericks.

After the season, the Thunder approached Giddey about coming off the bench in the future, but that was understandably not something he was excited about after starting the past three years. So a trade was worked out and Giddey ended up with the Bulls.

In Chicago, Giddey will be the starting point guard alongside Coby White in the backcourt. He has played three preseason games for the Bulls so far, averaging 11.3 points on 40.0 percent shooting, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 22.5 minutes per game.

Chicago has two preseason games remaining (at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday and against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday). The Bulls then open the regular season on October 23 at the New Orleans Pelicans.