The Chicago Bulls faced a significant absence at the NBA Summer League, notably missing point guard Josh Giddey. While Giddey was present in Las Vegas for promotional events, he did not appear alongside his teammates or participate in games, raising concerns among Bulls fans about his contract negotiations. Despite these worries, the negotiations appear to be amicable, with Giddey’s camp holding firm on a $30 million annual salary over four to five years. The Bulls, however, are hesitant and prefer a lower figure to maintain salary cap flexibility.

Giddey had a rocky start with the Bulls but showed significant improvement post-All-Star break, averaging 21.2 points and 9.3 assists in his last 19 games. At 22, he is considered part of the young core alongside players like Patrick Williams and Matas Buzelis, and securing a new contract for him is vital for the Bulls’ future plans. The lack of competitive offers from other teams gives the Bulls leverage, but finding common ground on Giddey’s contract remains a priority.