The Chicago Bulls need more production out of some of their young players if they are to right the ship and hopefully go into the All-Star break with a winning record.
Recently the Bulls had point guard Coby White go down with an ankle injury and currently, there is no timetable for his return. Since White went down the Bulls have turned to their talented 22-year-old Josh Giddey to be their main facilitator.
Giddey has been up and down offensively being the main driver of the Bulls offense one game and then being nowhere to be seen the next. Recently, however, Giddey has found some consistency and is playing a lot better as of late.
Thriving in his new role
Giddey is thriving for the Bulls in his new with having his fourth straight game with a double-double and his eighth in the last ten games according to Bulls insider K.C. Johnson.
“4th straight double-double for Josh Giddey and 8th in last 10 games”
4th straight double double for Josh Giddey and 8th in last 10 games
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 28, 2025
Giddey on the season is averaging 11.5 points (a career low), 7.4 rebounds, and 6.7 assists (a career-high), and is shooting 44.1% from the field just 33.1% from behind the arc. Giddey was very productive in the win against the Nuggets scoring 12 points, grabbing 4 rebounds, and dishing out 10 assists in 27 minutes of work.
With Giddey having four consecutive double-doubles he’s now in elite company with being second to Bulls legend Michael Jordan. Jordan for his part had seven straight games of having a double-double. Giddey does have a chance to tie or pass Jordan if he can keep up this pace.
The Chicago Bulls did not give Giddey an extension
Yesterday was the NBA’s deadline to issue contract extensions to players and according to Chicago Sports Network, the Bulls did not offer an extension to Giddey.
“The #Bulls did not reach an extension with Josh Giddey before today’s deadline…
@KCJHoop was all over it”
The #Bulls did not reach an extension with Josh Giddey before today’s deadline…
@KCJHoop was all over it. pic.twitter.com/UrkWMieace— Chicago Sports Network (@CHSN__) October 21, 2024
This tracks with the Bulls with them not issuing contract extensions to both Patrick Williams and Coby White to allow them to set their markets. With this move, Giddey will be a restricted free agent this summer and will figure to do the same.
The Bulls need to keep Giddey past this season, which I expect they will do. Given that Giddey is starting to get more consistent offensively and the Bulls possibly going into a rebuild keeping Giddey around long-term makes sense.
Keeping Giddey long-term
Giddey is a very special player and the Bulls wouldn’t have given up Alex Caruso if they didn’t feel that way.
Having Giddey be the main facilitator and providing scoring opportunities is what the Bulls need from him primarily and to also grab rebounds and score whenever he can.
If Giddey can focus on that and elevate that level of his game, the scoring will come and the Bulls should be heading to a good spot.
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