Josh Giddey Sets the Record Straight After $100 Million Extension With Bulls
By Jared Knobloch | Sept. 29, 2025 | Chicago, IL
The Chicago Bulls made their long-term intentions clear earlier this month when they re-signed guard Josh Giddey to a four-year, $100 million contract. And on Media Day, Giddey made sure his own intentions were just as clear.
The 22-year-old playmaker, acquired in the 2024 offseason from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for defensive anchor Alex Caruso, has been at the center of the Bulls’ rebuild. While the 2024-25 campaign ended in disappointment with a 39-43 record and a Play-In Tournament loss, Giddey showed enough in his second half surge to earn both the faith of Chicago’s front office and a lucrative new deal.
Giddey’s overall numbers — 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in 70 games — tell only part of the story. It was after the All-Star break when he truly elevated his game, averaging nearly a triple-double in his final 19 appearances: 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists. Those performances convinced the Bulls that they had their franchise point guard of the future.
“I never had any worries I wouldn’t be here,” Giddey told reporters at Media Day. “This is where I wanted to be. They embraced me from day one. Teammates, front office, the fans — it felt like home really quickly.”
His words struck a reassuring tone for a fan base that has grown weary of uncertainty. Throughout the summer, negotiations between Giddey’s camp and Chicago’s front office had been tense. Reports indicated the two sides were separated by nearly $10 million annually, with Giddey seeking a figure north of $30 million per season and the Bulls initially holding closer to $20 million. In the end, compromise prevailed — and the Bulls locked down a foundational piece without dragging talks into the season.
For Giddey, the focus now turns to raising his ceiling and helping Chicago regain relevance in the Eastern Conference. Asked if he believed he could reach All-Star status, Giddey didn’t hesitate. “Yeah, for sure. I think the individual accolades come with team success,” he said. “Winning — not just me but everyone involved in it — winning games means individual stuff comes as a byproduct of it.”
That attitude fits well with head coach Billy Donovan’s emphasis on chemistry and collective growth. With Giddey as the primary initiator, the Bulls envision an offense that can finally shed its inconsistency. His size at the guard position, court vision, and improving scoring ability give Chicago flexibility it has long lacked.
Still, the challenges are real. Coby White remains an uncertain piece, with his future beyond the current season unclear. Nikola Vučević, entering a contract year, is often mentioned as a trade chip, while young players like Matas Buzelis and Ayo Dosunmu are still developing. The Bulls’ front office, criticized in recent years for failing to land star-level talent, is banking heavily on internal growth.
The opportunity may be there. With injuries to several stars across the East shifting the balance of power, Chicago could have a chance to climb the standings if Giddey continues his upward trajectory. “I’m a one game-at-a-time type of player,” he added, avoiding lofty predictions. “We’ll see where it takes us.”
For now, Bulls fans can breathe a little easier knowing their young point guard has both financial security and full commitment to the city. The franchise that once prided itself on dynasty banners is far from those heights, but in Giddey, they believe they have found a cornerstone capable of steering them toward a more competitive future.
And as training camp opens, the focus will be squarely on whether Josh Giddey’s breakout stretch last spring was just the beginning — or a glimpse of something even bigger to come.
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