The Brooklyn Nets have plenty of cap space to use in the 2025 NBA offseason and that will be the case even if they decide to retain some of their more important free-agents. Brooklyn would like to improve on a roster that went 26-56 during the 2024-25 season and with that being said, it’s fair to wonder if they would pursue a player whose stock rose significantly.

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey will be a restricted free-agent this summer after spending the season with the Bulls following being traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder last offseason. Giddey, 22, seemed to raise his stock significantly after averaging 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 46.5% from the field and 37.8% from three-point land.

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One of the ways that the Nets can explore using their cap space, as noted by ESPN’s Bobby Marks, is by using their money to go after restricted free-agents, such as Giddey, given that most marquee unrestricted free-agents are rarely let go by their incumbent teams without a trade. Given where Chicago is in the context of the league, they finished the season with a 39-43 record, they may be willing to let someone like Giddey walk if the price to keep him is too steep.

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported in May that “the belief around the league is Bulls restricted free agent guard Josh Giddey hopes to command a similar five-year, $150 million deal to Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs and earn roughly $30 million annually or more.” While paying Giddey $30 million per season would be a big investment for Brooklyn so early in the rebuild, it’s important to note that figure may be the going rate for someone of his caliber.

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported last week that Giddey is expected to remain with the Bulls due to the season that he had for Chicago along with the fact that the team might be trying to retool around Giddey after trading away DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine over the course of the campaign. Time will tell what the Bulls do in free-agency, but if they’re willing to let Giddey walk, Brooklyn could have their point guard of the future.

This article originally appeared on Nets Wire: Should the Nets pursue Bulls’ Josh Giddey in 2025 NBA free-agency?