The excitement level at the United Center on Thursday night was off the charts.
Coby White and Josh Giddey once again saved the day for the suddenly surging Bulls.
But the elation wasn’t the only thing to skyrocket in the wake of the miracle comeback against the star-laden Lakers. The eventual asking price for the backcourt duo continued to jump to a higher tax bracket.
That’s the reality the Bulls’ front office will need to address sooner rather than later.
Giddey, 22, is a restricted free agent this summer, and White will play out the last year of his deal next season for a ridiculously team-friendly $12.9 million.
That’s all going to change.
In the fall, Giddey and his representation were hoping to get an extension similar to Magic guard Jalen Suggs’ — a five-year, $150.5 million deal. Suggs was the fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft, and Giddey went right after him at No. 6 to the Thunder, so the slotting would make sense.
But Giddey was coming off a disappointing playoff showing against the Mavericks in which he was exposed defensively and eventually lost his starting job before the Bulls acquired him for Alex Caruso. For his new organization, he was in a prove-it-first situation.
The talks were tabled, and it seemed like the Bulls would be in the driver’s seat after Giddey’s inconsistent play the first few months in which he found himself on the bench late in close games at times because of his deficiencies.
Fast-forward to the dramatic victory over the Lakers in which Giddey hit the 47-foot game-winner at the horn, and it’s obvious how much has changed.
JOSH GIDDEY FOR THE WIN FROM HALF.@CHSN__ | @joshgiddey pic.twitter.com/p4UQyORSSt
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 28, 2025
Giddey is finishing games and even drawing the toughest backcourt defensive assignments.
“I think a lot of defense is just how hard you want to try at it,” Giddey said recently. “It sounds kind of corny, but it really is the truth.”
Since Zach LaVine was traded to the Kings on Feb. 2, Giddey is averaging 20.9 points, 8.9 rebounds and 7.7 assists and shooting 51.1% from the field, including 48.9% from three-point range. He’s also leading the team with 1.5 steals per game.
And that 47-foot prayer was the longest game-winner in franchise history since distance stats were kept in the 1996-97 season.
If the Bulls allow him to test the open market — because he is restricted, they can then match any offer — $28 million to $30 million per year now looks realistic. The Bulls could gamble that he won’t get much of an offer because there aren’t many teams that can afford him and fit that profile, but then they’ll have an unhappy player on their hands.
As far as White, like Giddey, he has taken a huge jump, especially in the last month. He’s averaging 29.5 points in March, winning Eastern Conference Player of the Week in consecutive weeks.
If this is the new norm for White, 25, pencil him in for at least $40 million per year by the start of the 2026 season.
There’s the rub. The Bulls could be paying more than $70 million for a starting backcourt without an All-Star nod. It’s a recipe for continued mediocrity.
For now, however, enjoy what the two players are doing. But a whopping bill is coming.
