Warriors Enter the Giddey Chase: Golden State Expresses Interest in Bulls Guard Amid Contract Dispute

As the Golden State Warriors look to retool their roster and extend the championship window around Stephen Curry, a new name has emerged on their radar—one that signals a strategic shift toward youth, size, and playmaking. According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Warriors have expressed interest in acquiring Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey and have reportedly made initial contact with his camp to gauge availability and mutual interest.

The news comes amid increasing tension between Giddey and the Bulls’ front office over his contract demands. After being traded from Oklahoma City to Chicago earlier this offseason in a deal that sent Alex Caruso to the Thunder, Giddey is reportedly seeking a long-term extension worth around $30 million per year—a figure that has so far been met with resistance from the Bulls’ decision-makers. That impasse has opened the door for other teams to monitor the situation closely, and it appears Golden State is among the first to make an exploratory move.

While no deal is imminent, the Warriors’ interest in Giddey makes sense on multiple fronts. At just 23 years old, the 6-foot-8 Australian guard offers a rare combination of size, vision, and positional versatility. Though he struggled at times with consistency in Oklahoma City and now faces contractual uncertainty in Chicago, Giddey still possesses the kind of upside that teams covet—especially those looking to bridge the gap between current contention and long-term sustainability.

For the Warriors, who are in the midst of recalibrating their identity following a disappointing 2023–24 season, the pursuit of Giddey could represent a bold but calculated gamble. With the veteran core of Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and (pending free agency) Klay Thompson nearing the twilight of their championship primes, Golden State faces a critical decision: double down on veterans for one last push or pivot toward building around younger complementary talent who can extend Curry’s window while laying a foundation for the future.

Giddey may not be a seamless fit on paper, but the intrigue is undeniable. He is a non-traditional guard with elite passing instincts, strong rebounding for his position, and the ability to run the offense in a secondary or lead-initiator role. He’s not a knockdown shooter, which could limit his spacing fit next to Curry, but his high basketball IQ and willingness to move the ball align well with Steve Kerr’s motion-heavy offensive system.

Moreover, the Warriors’ interest in Giddey isn’t just about his individual talent—it’s about reshaping the structure of their team. In recent seasons, Golden State has struggled with depth, playmaking outside of Curry, and managing the workload of its aging stars. Giddey’s size allows him to guard multiple positions, and his ability to function as a point-forward could ease the burden on Curry while keeping the offense flowing when the former MVP sits.

However, this potential move also raises key financial and roster construction questions. Giddey’s reported asking price of $30 million annually places him in a tier alongside rising stars and established borderline All-Stars. For a Warriors team already dancing on the edge of the second apron under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, taking on a new, expensive contract would come with serious cap implications—especially if they plan to retain or replace Klay Thompson, add more veteran depth, or extend young pieces like Jonathan Kuminga.

The front office, led by Mike Dunleavy Jr., would need to be creative to make any deal work. That likely means outgoing salary—possibly in the form of Chris Paul’s non-guaranteed contract, Andrew Wiggins’ long-term deal, or even a package involving younger talent and draft compensation. The Bulls, for their part, are said to be open to moving Giddey if they cannot reach common ground on a new deal but are looking for a return that reflects his potential rather than his current contract status.

From Chicago’s perspective, the situation is delicate. Giddey was the headliner in the trade that sent out Alex Caruso—a fan favorite and one of the NBA’s best defensive guards. To flip Giddey again so soon would be an admission of miscalculation, unless the return package brings in players or picks who can accelerate their own uncertain rebuild. Whether Golden State can—or should—be that partner is the key question.

What’s clear is that this is not the type of move the Warriors typically make mid-offseason. Their front office is known for its loyalty, internal development, and reluctance to chase splashy trades without exhaustive internal vetting. That they have already reached out to Giddey’s camp indicates more than casual interest. It suggests a potential philosophical shift—one that prioritizes long-term flexibility and ball movement over static roles and legacy rotations.

In many ways, Giddey represents the kind of player the Warriors thought they were getting when they drafted players like James Wiseman or even Jordan Poole—an unconventional talent with star potential in the right system. But unlike those players, Giddey has already shown glimpses of elite-level facilitation and on-court leadership. The question is whether Golden State believes they can polish his game, particularly his shooting, enough to make him a long-term asset alongside or eventually beyond the Curry era.

There’s also the intangible element. Giddey is known for his competitive drive, humility, and willingness to learn—traits that could serve him well in Golden State’s structured yet free-flowing locker room. He would have the opportunity to learn under one of the greatest point guards in NBA history while playing meaningful minutes on a team that still expects to contend.

Steve Kerr, who has often spoken about the importance of high-IQ players who can read and react within the Warriors’ offensive system, would likely see Giddey as a moldable piece. While his jumper remains a work in progress, the Warriors have shown the ability to develop role players who can function within the team’s rhythm-based offense even without elite shooting.

Still, the price has to be right.

Golden State cannot afford to commit significant salary to another uncertain fit—especially after the Wiggins extension, the Poole trade fallout, and the looming questions around Klay Thompson. If the Bulls lower their demands or become amenable to a short-term sign-and-trade scenario, the Warriors could find themselves in a prime position to steal a versatile playmaker at below market value. But if the price holds at or near $30 million per year, Dunleavy and the front office may be forced to walk away.

Ultimately, the Giddey rumors speak to a larger truth: the Warriors are not standing pat.

After missing the playoffs last season and watching the Western Conference grow more competitive by the day, Golden State appears to be exploring every option to retool the roster without detonating it. Whether that means adding seasoned veterans on minimum deals or chasing high-upside youth like Giddey, the goal is the same—maximize the final years of Steph Curry’s brilliance and transition the team into its next phase without a full-scale rebuild.

Josh Giddey may not be the Warriors’ final move this offseason. He may not even become a Warrior at all. But the interest itself is telling. It reflects a franchise still hungry, still calculating, and still willing to evolve—even if it means taking a risk on a nontraditional fit with long-term potential.

The coming days and weeks will be critical in determining whether this flirtation turns into something more concrete. Much will depend on how firm Giddey remains in his contract stance, how much leverage the Bulls believe they hold, and how creative the Warriors are willing to get with their assets. But one thing is certain: Golden State is back in the mix, looking for its next puzzle piece—and they might have their eyes on the lanky playmaker from Down Under.

As Steph Curry approaches his 17th season in the league, Golden State knows the window is shrinking—but not closed. The right move, the right player, the right fit could keep that window open just long enough for one more run. Whether that player is Josh Giddey remains to be seen. But the Warriors, it seems, are willing to find out.