The NBA free agency period continues to be dominated by the contract negotiations of several key restricted free agents, most notably Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, and Cam Thomas. All three players are reportedly seeking contracts in the neighborhood of $30 million annually, creating a stalemate with their respective teams and impacting the broader free agency market.
Giddey’s Contract Standoff With the Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are currently in a contract dispute with Josh Giddey, who is seeking a deal comparable to Jalen Suggs’ contract, around $30 million per year. However, the Bulls are reportedly offering a lower figure, leveraging the lack of a significant market for Giddey. Despite this, all signs point towards an eventual agreement, with predictions suggesting a four-year deal worth approximately $100 million to $115 million, averaging around $24 million annually. Giddey’s recent resurgence after the All-Star break, averaging impressive numbers in points, rebounds, and assists, bolsters his case for a substantial contract. He also recently signed a deal with Puma, signaling a positive career trajectory.
Analytics Favor Giddey Amidst Contract Debates
When comparing Giddey, Kuminga, and Cam Thomas, analytics suggest Giddey holds a stronger position for a lucrative contract. Giddey posted a superior net rating (+1.9) compared to Thomas (+0.7) and Kuminga (-5.3) in the 2024-25 season. Furthermore, Giddey is recognized as the superior playmaker of the trio. While Thomas is the more potent scorer, Giddey’s all-around impact and playmaking ability are seen as adding more value. Kuminga, despite having the highest perceived ceiling, has yet to fully translate his potential into consistent performance, making Giddey the most justifiable candidate for a $30 million annual salary, though it’s unlikely he’ll reach that exact figure.
The Broader Restricted Free Agent Market
Key Takeaways
- Josh Giddey, Jonathan Kuminga, and Cam Thomas are all seeking contracts around $30 million annually.
- The Chicago Bulls are in negotiations with Giddey, with a deal around $24 million per year predicted.
- Analytics favor Giddey’s overall impact and playmaking over Thomas’ scoring and Kuminga’s potential.
- The lack of movement on these RFA deals is impacting the rest of the free agency market.
- Cam Thomas may accept his qualifying offer due to a potential gap in contract expectations with the Nets.
The contract demands of Giddey, Kuminga, and Thomas have created a ripple effect across the NBA free agency landscape. With limited cap space available around the league, teams are hesitant to meet these high asking prices. This has left many other free agents unsigned, waiting for the dominoes to fall on these major RFA negotiations. Cam Thomas, in particular, might accept his qualifying offer from the Brooklyn Nets if a satisfactory long-term deal isn’t reached, given the team’s leverage in the situation.