Giddey on track to become $30 million man

• Josh Giddey will become an unrestricted free agent in the upcoming NBA free agency period
• He was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Chicago Bulls last offseason
• Giddey is averaging 13.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game this season

Australian guard Josh Giddey could fetch up to $32 million per year ($47 million AUD) in NBA free agency after starring for the Chicago Bulls in his first year with the franchise, according to one of the league's leading media voices.

Giddey's production has gone to another level after the Bulls traded Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings, culminating in a 29-point, 10-rebound game in a win over the Indiana Pacers earlier this week before suffering a right ankle sprain.

He is averaging 13.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists this season, while shooting 46.2% from the field and is also connecting on more than 50% of shots from the three-point line since the LaVine trade.

But the 22-year-old from Melbourne and is represented by Daniel Moldovan, who is also Dyson Daniels' agent, is a restricted free agent in the upcoming offseason, leaving the Bulls with a decision to make.

“This is the kind of play I thought he (Giddey) would have all year,” Brian Windhorst said on ESPN Australia.

“His role was sort of limited. After the trades they’ve opened up his role (and) this is the player he can be.

“The going rate for a starting point guard in the NBA is around $30 million. He is their starter.

"If you look at a guy like Immanuel Quickley, he got five years and $162 million (A$257 million) — that’s about $32 million a year. I’m sure Josh Giddey’s hoping for something like that. He's not quite the scorer or defender Quickley is, so maybe something a little less.

“The question is going to be, if he doesn’t get an offer sheet, will the Bulls play hardball and make him come back on a one-year contract, or actually reward him?

“They have extended Lonzo Ball. If they do see him (Giddey) as their point guard of the future — and that’s why they traded Alex Caruso — then I would expect them to try and invest in him.

“Last year, this was the same situation with Patrick Williams on their team. He was a restricted free agent. They signed him on July 1st to a five-year long contract."

The Bulls look on their way to sealing 10th spot and a play-in position in the Eastern Conference, mainly due to the production of Giddey and backcourt partner Coby White. Chicago now sit 4.5 games clear of the Toronto Raptors, who are in 11th spot.

“I expect them to try do something with Giddey, but it has been puzzling why they kept his role narrow early on," Windhorst said.

“I will bet on Josh Giddey and I will bet on him getting a very long contract, whether he gets it this year or has to wait another year and end up as an unrestricted free agent.”

No timetable has been given on Giddey's return from the ankle injury he suffered against Indiana.