Insider Issues Blunt Verdict On Bulls’ $100M Josh Giddey Decision

As of now, it might be hard to find a fan of the Chicago Bulls who would disagree with the franchise resigning Josh Giddey to a four-year, $100 million

contract extension this summer.

Originally, some thought it was an overpay. But now a month into the season, Giddey’s $25 million average annual value is getting praised as one of the best offseason deals in the NBA. Most recently,

John Hollinger of The Athletic described the Bulls’ move to sign Giddey to that deal as ‘brilliant.’

“Whatever you think of the trade that brought him to the Windy City in the first place, the Chicago

Bulls’ decision to re-sign Josh Giddey for four years and $100 million in restricted free agency looks brilliant,” he wrote.

Giddey had shown signs in the past of becoming a leading player, but without a guarantee,

there’s a chance the $100 million deal could have gone south. Through 14 games, he leads the Bulls in scoring, assists, and minutes while helping the team to an 8-6 record.

Not bad for $25 million a year.

Josh Giddey’s Contract Is A Steal

Last offseason, Chicago sent Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a trade for Giddey. He was consistent last year, and while the scoring was relatively minimal, he was

a ‘do it all’ player for the Bulls who filled up the statsheet.

Chicago didn’t go anywhere record-wise, sitting at a close to .500 mark they’ve been at all decade.

But Giddey showed promise, and as a restricted free agent, the Bulls had a decision to make.

He was one of the last players to sign a deal this offseason

, and initially, many saw it as an overpay. But now, it’s hardly fair to say the contract wasn’t anything but a steal for the Bulls. According to Hollinger, its value only means more good things for Chicago in terms of either

keeping or bringing in talent.

“He’s playing like a max-contract superstar while occupying just $25 million on Chicago’s books for the three seasons after this one; partly as a result, Chicago

is set up to have max cap room this summer to bring in more talent around him and Coby White,” Hollinger wrote.

At $25 million a year, Giddey is making the same as players like

Anfernee Simons, Christian Braun, Naz Reid, and Draymond Green. While the value of some of those players compared to Giddey could be argued, none are even close to putting up the 20.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game as the number one option for his team.

“Giddey is off to a brilliant start that has him nearly averaging a triple-double,” Hollinger added. “And he’s playing at a level that could end in his making his first All-Star team at age 23

.”

It’s not Austin Reaves on the Lakers level, but still great value for Chicago.

The Bulls Are Fun If Nothing Else

Your thoughts on the Chicago Bulls might change depending on the type of night you watch them.

In some games, the offensive firepower looks unstoppable. In others, the entire team seems determined to give up the most points possible.

Those trends have been evident since head coach

Billy Donovan started running the team. However, since Giddey’s arrival, one thing has been clear for the Bulls: they are exciting to watch.

To exemplify both of these two points, look no further than

Chicago’s latest win over the Portland Trail Blazers. For much of the night, they had the league, with Giddey, White, Nikola Vucevic, and the rest of the team putting up solid numbers.

However, in the fourth quarter, while up 18 points, the Bulls forgot how to score. They went on to drop only eight points in nine minutes in the fourth quarter, eventually losing the lead to the Blazers with less than a minute left.

Down four with ten seconds left, White hit a three to close it to one. The Bulls fouled, and Portland made one of their free throws to go back up two

. But as time was expiring, White passed the ball to Vucevic, who hit a three-pointer for the win.

As ugly as the game was, that’s been the story for the Bulls over the past two years.

It’s yet to be seen if Giddey leading this cast can make any noise in the playoffs, but they offer the chance to knock off any team on any given night.

Chicago has been stuck in mediocrity. They had a hopeful start but have since fallen off a bit, as it’s still unknown what the peak of this team is.

Know Before You Go: Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at SoFi Stadium

The Los Angeles Rams will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their Week 12 'Aaron Donald Celebration' matchup, presented by Hyundai, at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, November 23 at 5:20 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC, on local radio in English on ESPN LA 710 AM and simulcast on 93.1 JACK FM as well as available in Spanish on KWKW 1330 AM.

The Rams are set to celebrate the greatest defensive player of his era, Aaron Donald. Donald had a storied career in the Royal and Sol, spending all ten seasons of his career with the Rams. He earned Defensive Player of the Year honors a record-tying three times, secured Pro Bowl nominations in all ten seasons of his career and helped the Rams lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy after recording the game-sealing stop to win Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Learn more about the celebration

here.

This year, more than 50 Los Angeles Rams players and coaches will bring awareness to off-the-field causes and nonprofit organizations they are most passionate about as part of the NFL's

My Cause My Cleats campaign. More information on each player's cause can be found at therams.com/community/mycausemycleats.

Visit www.therams.com/gameday for gameday information. Below are off-the-field highlights of Sunday's game.

Rams to honor legend Aaron Donald with celebration game

Giveaway Item: The first 60,000 fans in attendance will receive an Aaron Donald GOAT Bobblehead, presented by Hyundai, available at all gates, while supplies last. Fans should arrive early to secure their bobblehead.

Halftime Performance: The USC Marching Band will perform for fans during halftime. The band will wear "99" shirts and assemble in various formations to honor Donald. The band will perform alongside American rapper, actor, television presenter, radio personality, and record executive XZIBIT.

Aaron Donald Call to Stomp: The Rams have incorporated elements of Donald into their gameday presentation to cement his legacy. New this season, to start the game and the second half, fans view the "Call to Stomp" where Donald overviews the grit of the Rams and calls on fans to join him in an "LA Rams" chant.

Section 99 for Watts Rams: Donald will host members of the Watts Rams Youth Football team in a special section "99" to enjoy the game. Donald worked with the Watts Rams throughout his active playing career and will participate in a turkey giveaway for the team and their families prior to Sunday's game.

Photo with the GOAT: Fans can visit Upper American Airlines Plaza to snap a photo with a life-sized version of the Aaron Donald Bobblehead. In addition, "99" buttons will be available at the Button Bar and Ramp'd Up will feature "99" face paint options. In addition, Lower American Airlines Plaza will feature Donald pillar wraps.

Pregame Painting: World-renowned performance painter David Garibaldi will construct a painting of Donald during the pregame show.

Legend of the Game: Aaron Donald will be recognized during the first quarter as the Rams Iconic Legend of the Game presented by 1800 Tequila. Donald had a storied career in the Royal and Sol, spending all ten seasons of his career with the Rams. He earned Defensive Player of the Year honors a record-tying three times, secured Pro Bowl nominations in all ten seasons of his career and helped the Rams lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy after recording the game-sealing stop to win Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Donald led the NFL in sacks during the 2018 season and established a new high-water mark for defensive tackles with 20.5. Additionally, Donald notched a Rams franchise record 111.0 career sacks, becoming just the second defensive tackle in NFL history to eclipse the century mark.

Rams gameday to feature special guests and performances

National Anthem: American R&B singer-songwriter Lucky Daye will perform the National Anthem. LA Highway Patrol will hold an 80-yard American flag on the field during the anthem.

Third Quarter Performance: Rapper, singer and songwriter Paul Russell will perform during the third quarter break of the game. Russell is known for his song "Lil Boo Thang", which peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.

My Cause My Cleats: This year, 50 Los Angeles Rams players and coaches will bring awareness to off-the-field causes and nonprofit organizations they are most passionate about as part of the NFL's My Cause My Cleats campaign. More information on the causes players and coaches are supporting can be found at therams.com/community/mycausemycleats.

LA28 Moment: During pregame, the Los Angeles Rams will become the first donor for LA28's fundraising effort to provide local non-profits with free tickets to the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Rams President Kevin Demoff and EVP of Community Impact and Engagement Molly Higgins will present a $5 million check on behalf of the Rams to get free tickets in the hands of local residents.

Verizon Military Hero of the Game: Colonel Eric R. Swenson Deputy Commander will be recognized during the first quarter as the Verizon Military Hero of the Game. Swenson became the deputy commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division in 2025. Prior to his arrival at the division, Swenson served as the commander and district engineer of USACE's St. Paul District, most recently serving additionally as the Recovery Field Office commander for the 2025 Southern California wildfires recovery mission. Swenson's military awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and various campaign and service medals.

Pregame Performance: The Rancho Cucamonga Warriors youth football team will take the field for pregame performances beginning at 12:40 p.m. PT.

Merchandise available for purchase in the equipment room

Merch Item of the Game: Fans can shop Aaron Donald items and the exclusive Rams vs. Buccaneers match-up apparel designed by Born x Raised. Commemorative match-up items including the game pin, acrylic tickets, and more also will be available at the Equipment Room and across stadium merchandise locations.

Rams x Basics Merchandise Collection: Also available will be the latest offering from the Basics collection, a limited assortment of tees, hoodies, sweaters, and headwear. Basics II will be available at the Equipment Room and across stadium merchandise locations.

Dining and entertainment options at Hollywood Park

Rams Pregame VIP Tailgate: The Rams VIP Tailgate, presented by AVP, is located at CineVita, just steps from the south side of SoFi Stadium. Open starting four hours before kickoff, guests can enjoy all-inclusive food and drinks (including alcohol), indoor air-conditioned seating as well as outdoor lounge seating. Plus, TVs to watch other games going on.

The Shops at Hollywood Park contain a variety of dining options including The Meeting Spot, COSM and Cinepolis. For fans arriving before gates open, they can visit The Meeting Spot for gameday drink specials and receive free entry into COSM pre- and postgame by showing a Rams game ticket.

Located at Prairie Avenue and Century Boulevard, Hollywood Park's retail district is home to Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas, JD Sports, Iconix Fitness, Cosm and The Meeting Spot, Phenix Salon Suites and Google Code Next.

American Airlines Plaza and Pepsi overlook to feature activations for fans

Early Entry Special: There will be early entry beer specials – $5 Bud Light at the Bud Light Backyard in Upper American Airlines Plaza, from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. PT or while supplies last.

Activities for Fans: Rams Ramp'd Up face painting, the Button Bar, Football Toss and more will be available to fans in Upper American Airlines Plaza from the time gates open through kickoff.

Rams Football Academy: Fans can visit the Rams Football Academy booth in upper American Airlines Plaza from 3:00 p.m. - 5:20 p.m. PT to learn about the exciting youth program and sign up for exclusive benefits and merchandise.

Rams Land Kids Zone: Fans can enjoy a soft play area with a slide and foam pit, a tumbling space, a Rams House reading nook, a kids-edition bench press and a vertical leap in Upper American Airlines Plaza from the time entries open through halftime. Kids of all ages can meet Rampage 15 minutes after gates open.

Football Night in America: Fans can get a behind the scenes look at NBC's Football Night in America set, staged on Upper American Airlines Plaza and going live.

Buchanan's Sampling: Fans 21 and over can visit the Buchanan's team in Lower American Airlines Plaza to sample gameday cocktails.

Additional information on fan activities and partnership activations can be found at https://www.therams.com/game-day/pregame-activities.

Additional gameday information

Head to Los Angeles Rams Media Website and click Week 12 "Gameday Info" for Important Gameday Details.

For information about tickets to Rams games, including group tickets, single game tickets and suites, visit www.therams.com/tickets. For more information about Rams gameday, please visit www.therams.com/gameday. Fans can utilize the Rams Virtual Assistant to ask gameday questions. More information about SoFi Stadium, including permitted and prohibited items and a full A-Z Guide, can be found at www.sofistadium.com/planyourvisit/.

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