Giddey’s $100 Million Contract Reshapes Bulls’ Cap Picture Through 2026
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CHICAGO — The Bulls have secured guard Josh Giddey on a four-year, $100 million free-agent agreement, ending one of the longest negotiations of the 2025 offseason and setting a new course for the club’s salary planning.
Immediate flexibility still intact
Despite the splashy deal, Chicago retains its $14.1 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception. With no remaining unrestricted free agents likely to command that figure, cap analyst Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron expects the front office to preserve the exception into the regular season, potentially deploying it for an in-season roster upgrade or to absorb salary in exchange for future assets.
Up to $50 million in projected 2026 cap space
Looking ahead, the Giddey pact does not derail the franchise’s plan to be active in the summer of 2026. If the Bulls keep guard Coby White’s $24.5 million cap hold, projections show between $40 million and $50 million in spending power. Chicago could use that room on outside talent and then exceed the cap to sign White to a new contract.
Coby White’s market value rising
White, an unrestricted free agent next summer, could approach $30 million annually with another productive year, according to Gozlan. Over the past two seasons the 25-year-old has averaged 19.7 points, 4.8 assists and 4.1 rebounds while shooting .450 from the field, .373 from three and .873 at the line. After trades involving Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine, White’s role in Chicago’s long-term backcourt appears more settled.
Large expiring contracts offer trade leverage
The Bulls hold approximately $90 million in expiring salaries tied to Nikola Vucevic, Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter and Jevon Carter. Moving any of those deals for longer-term money would trim 2026 flexibility but could allow the club to address roster needs ahead of free agency. In addition, Huerter, Ayo Dosunmu and Dalen Terry are already eligible for extensions that would also cut into future cap room if completed.
The combination of Giddey’s new contract, sizable exceptions and looming cap space positions Chicago to remain active on multiple fronts while preserving several pathways to upgrade the roster over the next two seasons.
Source: Hoops Rumors
