Key Notes: Ball, Giddey, THT, Middleton, Holland, Cavs

A couple Bulls The point guards will start the 2024/25 season with expiring contracts. Lonzo Ball As a rookie, he is entering the final season of the four-year contract he signed with the team in 2021 Josh Giddey is headed to restricted free agency in 2025 after failing to agree to a rookie extension with Chicago.

Ball is eligible for a veteran contract extension throughout the season, but he is an unlikely candidate for a new contract before becoming a free agent after missing the last two and a half years. At the moment he is just happy to be back on the pitch. Head coach Billy Donovan According to KC Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link), KC Johnson said the plan is to have Ball play about 14 to 16 minutes in the team's regular season opener against New Orleans on Wednesday.

Giddey was a more likely extension candidate before the season, but he is not worried about not being able to get a deal done. He told reporters on Tuesday that he “loves being here” and that the contract situation will “work itself out,” according to Johnson (via Twitter).

While Giddey admits the prospect of an extension weighed on him last season, he doesn't expect to be distracted by his upcoming free agency this season. It probably helps that the Bulls specifically targeted him in a trade last summer, while his place in Oklahoma City's long-term future was always uncertain.

We have more from the Central region:

• Chicago native Talen Horton Tucker made official BullsHe is the only player on an Exhibit 10 contract this fall, making that deal a non-guaranteed standard contract. He called it a “dream come true” to open the season with his hometown team, Johnson tweeted.
• dollar Head coach Doc Rivers confirmed today that forward Chris Middleton still has not participated in a 5-on-5 matchup and will not play against Philadelphia on Wednesday. However, Middleton has suffered no setbacks in his recovery from offseason ankle surgeries and is considered fit for everyday use (Twitter links via Eric Nehm of The Athletic). “I would say if it was a playoff game, he would probably be there or close to it.” Rivers said.
• Pistons Head coach JB Bickerstaff was impressed by the rookie striker Ron Hollandis the team-first hire this fall, as Keith Langlois of Pistons.com reports. “The only thing that matters to him is influencing the victory” Bickerstaff said. “It is important that at his age he understands the intangibles that influence victory. His mindset isn't, “I have to go out there, score 30 points and make 30 shots.” His mindset is, “What needs to be done now to help this team?” That's why he fits in so well and can fit into different groups , because he has the ability to fill the intangible parts of the game.”
• After most of their Eastern Conference rivals reshaped their rosters this summer, the Cavaliers will need to show they can take a step forward with their current core in 2024-25, writes Cleveland.com's Chris Fedor (subscription required). If the Cavs season ends like '23-24, with a second-round playoff exit, the front office will have a more important decision to make in the 2025 offseason, Fedor said.