Josh Giddey’s Rise Has the Bulls Thinking Bigger - And Looking for Their Own Siakam
Josh Giddey didn’t just sign a $100 million contract extension with the Chicago Bulls back in September - he’s been proving every bit of that investment was worth it. Through 17 games this season, the 23-year-old guard has already racked up four triple-doubles and continues to deliver the kind of all-around performances that make front offices think long-term. And in Chicago, that’s exactly what’s happening.
Giddey’s blend of size, vision, and feel for the game has quietly become the engine behind a Bulls team that’s still figuring out its identity. He’s not just stuffing the stat sheet - he’s reaching career milestones and evolving into a player the franchise can build around. And now, it looks like the Bulls are ready to go all-in on that idea.
According to recent reporting, Chicago is eyeing a blueprint that’s worked well just a few hours southeast - the Indiana Pacers model. The thinking is simple: if Giddey can develop into their version of Tyrese Haliburton, the next step is finding their Pascal Siakam - a versatile, two-way forward who can elevate the ceiling of a young, talented core.
“They have Haliburton, who is an All-Star, and they have Siakam,” ESPN’s Jamal Collier noted. “If Giddey can develop into an All-Star and be what Hali was, when do we pull the trigger to get our Siakam?”
That quote has sparked plenty of buzz around the league, and for good reason. It suggests the Bulls aren’t just content to hover around the play-in - they’re actively looking for the next big piece to push them forward.
But while the front office eyes potential upgrades, the team is still grinding through the regular season. The Bulls are coming off a tough 116-123 loss to the Charlotte Hornets - a game that featured not just a close scoreline, but also a tense exchange between Giddey and a courtside heckler. It was one of those moments that showed Giddey’s fire, even in defeat.
In their most recent outing, the Bulls went head-to-head with the Indiana Pacers - the very team they’re trying to emulate. Giddey showed up in a big way, logging a double-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in 34 minutes.
Nikola Vucevic added 16 points, eight boards, and six assists of his own in 30 minutes of action. But without Coby White - who was sidelined - the Bulls came up just short, falling 101-103 in a game that went down to the wire.
That loss dropped Chicago to 9-10 on the season, currently sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. It’s a record that reflects a team in transition - flashes of potential, moments of inconsistency, and a roster that feels one piece away from something more.
Next up: a road matchup against the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center. And while it’s just one game on the schedule, the bigger picture is starting to come into focus.
Giddey is growing into the kind of player who can lead a franchise. Now the Bulls just need to find the right co-star to take this thing to the next level.