What to expect in a contract extension for Bulls guard Josh Giddey

While restricted free agency has been dramatic for many unsigned players this offseason, the Chicago Bulls and Josh Giddey have flown under the radar with a much smoother negotiation process.

Restricted free agents like the Brooklyn Nets' Cam Thomas and the Golden State Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga have made negotiations nothing less than dramatic, showing that they deserve a higher-paid deal with a team willing to pay. Each of their respective teams hasn't budged, and a sign-and-trade deal is slowly fading out of conversation.

However, for Josh Giddey and the Bulls, interest is mutual between both sides, and it's just a matter of time before a contract is agreed upon.

Giddey was traded to the Bulls last offseason in a package that sent Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Chicago agreed to the terms with the anticipation that the Australian 22-year-old would be with the team in the long term.

ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel recently outlined what a potential deal could look like between the Bulls and Giddey. While negotiations have been relatively smooth, Siegel noted a small gap in expectations – Chicago envisions a deal in the $20 million-per-year range, while Giddey is seeking closer to $30 million annually.

The hypothetical deals Siegel floated included a three-year, $70 million contract or a four-year, $100 million extension that would tie Giddey to the Bulls deeper into their plans.

Of course, as with any NBA negotiation, the player will aim to maximize value, while the team works to preserve flexibility. The question now is where the two sides will find their middle ground.