Josh Giddey signed four years, $100 million with the Chicago Bulls, a mid-point reached after a lengthy negotiation. The deal gives Chicago a ball-dominant playmaker whose raw totals look strong, but questions linger about efficiency, off-ball shooting, and defense. The move tightens the Bulls’ payroll with unclear spacing implications, inviting scrutiny of how the rest of the roster—Vučević, Williams, White—will complement him. The result feels like a calculated risk that may only edge Chicago toward play-in lethargy rather than a true upgrade.

Chicago’s plan around Giddey highlights a wider roster puzzle: can the Bulls assemble reliable spacing and scoring around a high-usage guard and still maximize floor balance? With White not extended, Vučević still on the roster, and Williams at roughly $18 million, the team’s direction looks murky, draft strategy appears limited, and the potential ceiling remains uncertain.

Overall, the deal signals risk over immediate uplift. Without a bold, coherent plan to maximize Giddey’s strengths and mitigate his weaknesses, Chicago risks stagnation rather than a meaningful leap forward.