Josh Giddey Missing From Bulls HC Billy Donovan’s Touching Moment Ahead of HOF

Billy Donovan’s Hall of Fame weekend felt like a family reunion for the Chicago Bulls. With veteran players and front office figures flying in to celebrate the coach who led the Florida Gators to titles and later took the Bulls through a rebuilding stretch. On the eve of Donovan’s enshrinement, reporter K.C. Johnson noted that Coby White Ayo Dosunmu Patrick Williams Dalen Terry and recent pick Matas Buzelis were all in town to honor him. And the organization sent a large contingent from ownership down through management to be part of the weekend.

But one notable absence stood out: Josh Giddey will not be in Springfield for Donovan’s induction due to ongoing contract talks with the Bulls that have stretched into training camp. Team sources say Giddey reached out to Donovan personally expressing gratitude and apologizing for missing the ceremony and that Donovan found the gesture meaningful. As K.C. Johnson relayed Donovan’s reaction it was “very touching” that so many current and former Bulls gathered for the milestone even as key negotiations continue.

The reason for Giddey’s no show goes straight to money and term. After a breakout season in Chicago the 22 year old guard averaged 14.6 points 8.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists while starting the majority of games and becoming a primary facilitator. Giddey’s camp is seeking roughly 30 million dollars per year and a longer five year structure while the Bulls have been anchored closer to 20 million per year though they’ve moved their offer upward. As NBA insider Keith Smith put it “Bulls are offering Josh Giddey $22M AAV. Giddey wants $30M AAV”. With the sides still separated by millions.

Facts on the table show movement but not closure. Reporting from ESPN and others indicates Chicago increased its bid from an initial four year 80 million dollar package to a four year 88 million dollar offer which averages about 22 million per season. Giddey can instead sign his one year qualifying offer worth roughly 11.1 million dollars before the October 1 deadline and preserve certain rights but that route comes with tradeoffs. Outside interest is real. Rival teams have contacted Giddey’s representatives about potential sign and trade scenarios which gives Chicago optional paths if a direct extension cannot bridge the gap.

For now the human side of this standoff is as visible as the dollars. Donovan called the players and staff flying in a touching sign of how the Bulls value their locker room and history. Even as front office and salary math drive awkward moments. Sources expect some resolution before the regular season but the split over annual value and term has been the recurring sticking point all summer. If a deal is reached it will likely sit between the current offers but until then Giddey’s absence in Springfield will be cited as a small but telling symptom of how modern NBA negotiations influence team life and personal milestones.

Jonathan Kuminga and Josh Giddey’s free agency are vastly different despite same situation

ESPN’s Tim Bontemps laid out why the two restricted free agents face different calculations noting that teams use restricted free agency as leverage and the margin for error differs by player. He explained that Giddey’s cushion makes waiting a lower risk for him because his qualifying offer is higher. “Let’s say the Bulls are offering four for 80 million you take 11 million Josh makes this year. He’s got to sign a three year deal for 69 million to get his money back. A very nice deal to get his money back right? I think that’s a reasonable deal for him to get”, Bontemps said illustrating why Giddey can afford to be patient relative to peers.

By contrast Jonathan Kuminga’s financial picture is far riskier because his qualifying offer and leverage tally are lower which forces a tougher choice about patience and security. Bontemps pointed out the practical math that Kuminga would need an outsized second contract to recover lost ground if he takes a low year and fails to reach top market value next summer. As analysts have noted the differing qualifying offers mean that while Giddey can wait without kneecapping his near term finances Kuminga faces a steeper cliff.

That reality helps explain why Giddey’s stalled attendance at Donovan’s Hall of Fame moment is a negotiation symptom not a collapse. Bontemps concluded that a middle ground is plausible and that the Bulls will likely seek to close the gap. “It would make sense for the Bulls to find a way to get a deal done and I would guess they ultimately do get some deal done,” he said, leaving open the chance that Chicago and Giddey will land on a compromise before the season begins or else explore sign and trade options that balance team control with the player’s pay expectations.