Point guard Josh Giddey dominated the spotlight for most of an otherwise sleepy summer for the Chicago Bulls.
Giddey’s restricted free agency lasted a laborious 10 weeks, dragging out deeper into the summer than either party would have preferred. But he finally re-signed in early September, agreeing to a four-year, $100 million deal that represented a mostly level compromise between the sides.
Back in Chicago this week for the start of training camp, Giddey voiced relief that the negotiation process was finally completed. But he also disputed rumors that he had grown frustrated with the Bulls front office at any point this summer, emphasizing a strong relationship with teammates and staff.
“I never had any worries I wasn’t going to be here,” Giddey said. “This was where I wanted to be. They embraced me from Day 1 when I first got here — teammates, front office, fans — and it felt like home really quickly.
“Right from the jump, I made sure my agent knew this is where I wanted to be. I want to be here long term.”
Securing a long-term deal with Giddey was a cornerstone of the front office’s offseason, which was focused on a long-term build around young talent. The next order of business will be determining the futures of guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, who are entering contract seasons.
Neither player specified if the Bulls have discussed a potential extension, deferring to their agents for questions about contracts. The front office has established a pattern of declining to extend contracts, allowing players to test the waters of unrestricted free agency before coming to a new deal.
The Bulls previously did not extend the rookie contracts of White, Dosunmu or Patrick Williams and also allowed the contracts of veterans such as Zach LaVine to expire in favor of offseason negotiations.
Although a new deal might be nearly a year away, executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas said the Bulls still believe White will be an important piece in the team’s future.
“We love Coby,” Karnišovas said. “He’s improved the last two years. Hopefully he’s going to be here for a long time. When the time comes, we’ll talk to him and his representation.”
Coby White limited with a calf strain
Bulls guard Coby White answers questions during an end-of-season news conference at the Advocate Center on April 17, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
White wasn’t cleared to fully participate in the first day of training camp Tuesday at the Advocate Center. He suffered a calf strain during late summer workouts that he described as “mild.”
The Bulls are exercising caution with White’s return because of the risks of playing through calf injuries, which can affect the stability of the ankle and Achilles tendon.
White will be limited for the first week of camp before slowly ramping up activity. The team hasn’t determined whether he will be available for the regular-season opener Oct. 22 against the Detroit Pistons, although White expressed optimism that he will be.
Nikola Vučević is retired from international duty
Bulls center Nikola Vučević walks through the atrium during media day at the United Center on Sept. 29, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
Center Nikola Vučević closed a chapter of his career this summer by announcing his retirement from Montenegro’s national team.
Vučević announced his decision after anchoring the national team in the 2025 EuroBasket tournament, in which he averaged 20.8 points, 11.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists in five games before Great Britain eliminated Montenegro. Since making his international debut in 2011, Vučević led Montenegro in two World Cups and five EuroBaskets.
The decision was equally informed by the future of the national team, which will begin a new era focused on the younger generation in the two years before the next EuroBasket. But Vučević, who turns 35 in October, said he also wanted to prioritize spending NBA offseasons with his three children.
Despite his decision to step away from the national team, Vučević still feels sturdy in his 15th NBA season. While he’s the oldest player on the Bulls roster — which has a median age of 24 — he cracked a few jokes Monday during media day about feeling like one of the young guys on the team.
“I really do feel really good,” Vučević said. “I just had a very good EuroBasket where I felt good physically. My game is not necessarily based on athleticism or anything like that. Luckily I haven’t had any major injuries, so I’ve been good with my health. I think I can still play at a very high level for many more years.
“I don’t understand why people keep asking me (about my age), but I guess it’s part of it.”