The Chicago Bulls opted not to extend Josh Giddey at the deadline on Monday, leaving the fourth-year guard poised to enter restricted free agency at the end of this season.
Giddey was eligible for a rookie extension, which can be valued up to $224 million over five seasons. While this is a crucial way for teams to lock in with highly valued young talent, the Bulls front office has been wary of jumping the gun on these extensions.
As the No. 6 draft pick in 2021, Giddey is now the highest pick from his draft class to not receive an extension this year. Three players from the 2021 draft class received the rookie max: Cade Cunningham (Detroit), Evan Mobley (Houston) and Scottie Barnes (Toronto). Eleven total players from the 2021 draft class signed rookie extensions ahead of the deadline this year.
This decision follows the recent logic of the Bulls, who also chose not to extend guard Coby White and Patrick Williams before successfully re-signing both players as restricted free agents. Giddey is seeking a $30 million annual deal according to a report by Yahoo Sports, which is well above the capacity of the Bulls without entering into the luxury tax.
And the Bulls have plenty to still see out of Giddey this season after he struggled throughout his final year in Oklahoma City. Despite being somewhat limited in the preseason due to an ankle injury incurred during the Paris Olympics, Giddey showed flashes of playmaking prowess as he integrated into his new team. But the guard’s propensity for turnovers — and lack of defensive flexibility — could outweigh his offensive impact this season.
The wait-and-see approach will be key for both sides as Giddey heads into the final year of his contract.
WNBA players union opts out of the CBA
The WNBA players union opted out of their collective bargaining agreement on Monday, setting the stage for a potential lockout.
The decision to opt out was not a surprise after an explosive year of growth highlighted by the completion of a new $200 million media rights deal. With expansion on the horizon, players aim to maximize their share of the new influx of revenue and investment across the league.
WNBAPA executive director Terri Jackson outlined several key focuses for the players’ association in negotiating a new deal. These include creating an “equity-based” economic model that removes some of the current compensation caps; increasing player wages and bonuses; setting minimum standards for accommodations including practice facilities and travel; expanding retirement benefits; and boosting pregnancy and family planning benefits.
“This is a defining moment, not just for the WNBA, but for all of us who believe in progress,” WNBAPA president Nneka Ogwumike said in a statement. “The world has evolved since 2020, and we cannot afford to stand still. If we stay in the current agreement, we fall behind. Opting out isn’t just about bigger paychecks — it’s about claiming our rightful share of the business we’ve built, improving working conditions, and securing a future where the success we create benefits today’s players and the generations to come. We’re not just asking for a CBA that reflects our value; we’re demanding it, because we’ve earned it.”
A work stoppage will only occur if the league and the players’ association do not come to an agreement by the end of the 2025 season. Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams is the secretary of the WNBAPA and will be a crucial part of these conversations.
Still no streaming for CHSN ahead of the Bulls season opener
Bulls fans located in the Chicagoland area will need an antenna, a DirectTV subscription or a (redacted because the Tribune does not condone illegal streaming activity) to access Wednesday’s season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. This will likely hold true for Friday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks and Saturday’s home opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
CHSN released a statement Saturday explaining that the network has attempted negotiations with Comcast, Astound, Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu and other providers. But most of those conversations have been fruitless in the early weeks of the network’s introduction to the market.
Network president Jason Coyle told reporters before Saturday’s Blackhawks game that CHSN is “pretty close” to launching a direct-to-consumer streaming app. Fans outside of the Chicagoland area can continue to stream games via NBA League Pass, but that stream is blacked out within the market.
Allie Quigley inducted into the DePaul Athletics Hall of Fame
Former Chicago Sky star Allie Quigley was named to the DePaul Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on Friday.
The program’s third all-time scorer with 2,078 career points, Quigley led the Blue Demons to four NCAA tournament berths during her career, including a Sweet 16 run in 2006. She then played for her hometown Chicago Sky for 10 years, becoming a three-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Sixth Woman of the Year before winning the WNBA title in 2021.
Quigley will be honored alongside Lindsay Chouinard Platt (softball), Drake Diener (men’s basketball), Missy Fraser (women’s track and field), Tim Nedow (men’s track and field) and Karen Loiacono (athletic department) during the Hall of Fame induction weekend from Jan. 10 through 12.
While Quigley has not officially announced her retirement from basketball, she sat out the 2023 and 2024 WNBA seasons after choosing not to re-sign with her hometown team. Her wife and former Sky captain Courtney Vandersloot won a second WNBA title with the New York Liberty on Sunday.
Matas Buzelis signs with Reebok
We welcome Matas Buzelis to the Reebok
Basketball family. The 6'10" Lithuanian-American forward comes from a family of hoopers, where he inherited a contagious attitude and confidence that translate to a fearless game on the court. Welcome to the Future of Reebok Basketball. pic.twitter.com/1mqviT47X8— Reebok (@Reebok) October 21, 2024
Rookie Matas Buzelis inked his first shoe deal last week, signing with Reebok for the first major athletic partnership of his young career.
Although Reebok Basketball is helmed by president Shaquille O’Neal and vice president Allen Iverson — the brand’s two most notable former athletes — the brand has struggled to attract NBA athletes in recent years.
Buzelis joins a class of young talent signed by Reebok including high school phenom Nate Ament and 18-year-old G-League standout Dink Pate. This new group of athletes is envisioned as a reset for Reebok as the brand aims to reinvest in the basketball space.
Chicago Sky star Angel Reese is the brand’s most prominent active athlete. Reese debuted the Engine A — Reebok’s first basketball performance shoe since 2015 — in August and is expected to launch her signature shoe next year.
Illinois men’s, women’s basketball left off AP preseason Top 25
The Illinois men’s and women’s basketball teams were left off the AP preseason Top 25 lists this season. The women’s team came the closest to making the list, earning 23 votes from AP voters.
The preseason polls were packed with familiar names at the top. Kansas, Alabama and Connecticut lead off the men’s rankings while South Carolina, Connecticut and USC lead the women’s. The Big Ten is wide open for men’s basketball, with only four ranked programs — and none in the top 10. The women’s side will be a tougher competition, with USC and UCLA ranked in the top five and six total teams in the top 25.
The men’s team opens action with a home game against Eastern Illinois on Nov. 4 while the women open the season against No. 19 Florida State on Nov. 7.
Week ahead: Bulls
Wed: Season opener @ New Orleans Pelicans (7 p.m.)
Fri: @ Milwaukee Bucks (7 p.m.)
Sat: Home opener vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (7 p.m.)
What we’re reading this morning
- Talen Horton-Tucker makes the Chicago Bulls’ opening roster. The former Simeon star ‘dreamed of this as a kid.’
- TNT will air new Unrivaled women’s 3-on-3 basketball league games starting in January
- 7 things we learned from the Chicago Bulls in the preseason, including Zach LaVine’s new outlook and Lonzo Ball’s promise
- Jerry Reinsdorf is reportedly interested in selling the White Sox. Would he sell the Bulls too?
- Chicago Sky executives say they’re ‘in a good place’ with Angel Reese and other players after coach Teresa Weatherspoon’s sudden firing
- Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox have a new TV home. Here’s what to know about the Chicago Sports Network.
Quotable
“My mom will handle all that. I send them straight to her and she’ll shut them all down.” — Talen Horton-Tucker on an influx of ticket requests for the Bulls season opener after making the final roster for his hometown team
