The NBA rumor mill is churning at full speed, and at the heart of the latest frenzy is Chicago Bulls restricted free agent Josh Giddey. On Thursday, whispers emerged that the Golden State Warriors have their sights set on the Australian phenom, whose contract standoff with the Bulls has left the door ajar for a blockbuster move. Fueling the fire, a cryptic Instagram interaction between Giddey and Warriors’ two-way prospect Taran Armstrong has sent fans into a speculative spiral, dreaming of a Down Under duo in the Bay Area.
The buzz began when Taran Armstrong, a fellow Australian who spent last season on a two-way contract with the Warriors, posted a photo of himself training back home alongside Giddey. In the image, Giddey donned a Bulls shirt, but it was his one-word comment—”twiz”—on Armstrong’s post that lit up the internet. Warriors fans flooded the replies, pleading with Giddey to join their squad. The post, innocent as it may seem, has only intensified speculation about a potential move to Golden State.
Armstrong, a 23-year-old guard, remains a free agent after a season with the Warriors’ G-League affiliate, where he showcased flashes of brilliance. The Warriors, who currently have only one player, Jackson Rowe, signed to a two-way contract, could still bring Armstrong back. However, they’re holding off on roster moves until they resolve their own contract deadlock with rising star Jonathan Kuminga. Adding to the Australian connection, Golden State drafted Alex Toohey in the 2025 NBA Draft, raising eyebrows about a potential Aussie influx.
At the core of the drama is Giddey’s ongoing contract dispute with the Chicago Bulls. The 23-year-old guard is reportedly seeking a deal with an average annual value of $30 million, benchmarking himself against recent contracts signed by Immanuel Quickley and Jalen Suggs. The Bulls, however, have held firm at an offer closer to $20 million per year, creating a significant gap in negotiations. If no agreement is reached, Giddey could opt for his qualifying offer, playing out the season and hitting unrestricted free agency next summer in pursuit of a bigger payday.
This impasse has opened the door for trade speculation, with the Warriors emerging as a potential suitor. NBA insider Jake Fischer fanned the flames during a Thursday livestream, reporting that Golden State has explored a daring dual sign-and-trade. The proposed deal would send Kuminga, who is reportedly open to joining the Bulls, to Chicago in exchange for Giddey. While trading restricted free agents is notoriously complex, such a move could resolve both teams’ contract conundrums and reshape their rosters.
The Warriors are reportedly interested in Josh Giddey and have reached out to his camp 👀
This comes after the Bulls have been unwilling to meet Giddey’s $30M/yr contract desire amidst his restricted free agency situation 😬
Giddey averaged 14.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG & 7.2 APG in 70… pic.twitter.com/K7fnTNmVo8
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) August 7, 2025
The Warriors’ interest in Giddey seems to align with their growing Australian contingent. Taran Armstrong, who played two years at California Baptist before starring for the Cairns Taipans in Australia’s National Basketball League, earned his two-way deal with Golden State through gritty performances. Though he didn’t see NBA action last season, his G-League showings hinted at his potential. Meanwhile, the Warriors’ selection of Alex Toohey in the 2025 draft signals their commitment to tapping into Australia’s basketball pipeline. Could Giddey be the next piece in their Aussie puzzle?
As the standoffs continue—Giddey with the Bulls and Kuminga with the Warriors—the possibility of a trade grows more tantalizing. A sign-and-trade could be a win-win, giving Chicago a dynamic forward in Kuminga and Golden State a versatile playmaker in Giddey, whose court vision and size could complement their fast-paced system. For now, the NBA world is left buzzing over Giddey’s one-word Instagram reply and the prospect of an Australian-led revival in the Bay Area.