After months of negotiations, Josh Giddey finally received his payday. He agreed to a four-year $100 million contract extension with the Chicago Bulls. The restricted free agent returns after a productive first season with the perennial play-in tournament contender.
The Oklahoma City Thunder had Giddey for three seasons. After a disagreement on his role, he was traded to the Bulls for Alex Caruso in the 2024 offseason. Fair to say the deal worked out for both sides. Giddey had a career season and Caruso helped win an NBA championship.
One person who’s happy to see Giddey get the bag was Jaylin Williams. The ex-Thunder teammates’ bond remains strong, even when the former was dealt. It also helps that the latter also signed a three-year, $24 million contract extension this offseason with OKC.
Giddey and Williams were Thunder teammates for two seasons from 2022-24. In those two years, their friendship stood out for all the right seasons. After his long-term future was unknown, Williams assured Giddey that they’d stay in touch no matter what happens. A few weeks later, Giddey was traded to the Bulls.
Williams took to social media to congratulate Giddey for the new deal. He did it in his fashion as a jokester through his Instagram story: “can i borrow a couple bucks”
While Giddey couldn’t get a second deal with the Thunder, he helped them win a championship with his trade value. Of course, both sides got what they wanted out of their trade. Now, the Bulls hope the 22-year-old can build off of his strong 2025 post-All-Star break surge of a near 21-point triple-double.