Giddey Eyes Fast Start After Signing Four-Year, $100 Million Deal With Bulls
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Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey says a quick start is essential as the team prepares for the 2025-26 season, his first after agreeing to a four-year, $100 million contract last month.
“The fact it’s done now, I can move forward; the next four years, I’m locked in with the Bulls,” the 22-year-old Australian told ESPN’s Olgun Uluc in an interview released Thursday. “Very, very happy in Chicago, and excited to be there another four years.”
Four-Year Commitment
The former No. 6 overall pick had played under a four-year, $27.21 million rookie deal signed with Oklahoma City in 2021. His new agreement averages $25 million annually.
Chicago acquired Giddey in a 2024 trade that sent defensive specialist Alex Caruso to the Thunder. In 70 games (69 starts) with the Bulls last season, Giddey averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.2 steals while shooting 46.5% from the field and a career-best 37.8% from three-point range.
According to Basketball Reference, he ranked 10th in the NBA in assists (503) and 20th in defensive rebounds (439). His player efficiency rating (18.1) and true shooting percentage (57%) were personal highs. He also recorded seven triple-doubles, the second-highest single-season total in franchise history behind Michael Jordan’s 15 in 1988-89.
Playoffs the Goal
Chicago finished 2024-25 as the Eastern Conference’s No. 12 seed and exited the play-in tournament after a loss to the Miami Heat, marking a third consecutive season without a playoff berth. The Bulls did win 15 of their final 20 regular-season games, a late surge Giddey hopes to replicate from the outset.
“Hopefully everyone is healthy to start the season,” he said. “The East is wide open, so we need to start the year strong. Our identity is a very fast-paced team. Defensively we have to be better, and I think we will be. That’s a whole team effort.”
Giddey turns 23 on Oct. 10 and will make his season debut when the Bulls host the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 22.
Source: Basketball Insiders
