Josh Giddey is embarking on a new chapter with the Chicago Bulls after being traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Alex Caruso. The 21-year-old Australian guard enters the final year of his NBA rookie contract, with both the Bulls and Giddey looking ahead to his future in Chicago.
The move signifies a fresh start for Giddey, who openly expressed his desire for a change of scenery after a challenging 2023-24 season in Oklahoma City.
In his introductory press conference, Giddey explained that the trade has shifted his mindset. “I’m 21 years old, it wasn’t something that I was overly eager to do,” Giddey said, referring to the Thunder’s plan to move him into a reserve role. “He [Thunder GM Sam Presti] completely understood. And just throughout the whole process, we were open and honest with each other.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls Updates
Giddey’s decision to move on from Oklahoma City came after losing his starting job and seeing his numbers dip. While he averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in his second NBA season, those figures dropped to 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in 2023-24.
Now, in Chicago, Giddey looks to revitalize his career and potentially become a long-term piece for the Bulls.
Bulls Face Big Decisions on Giddey’s Future
While Giddey’s arrival in Chicago marks a significant offseason move, it also brings uncertainty regarding his future. With restricted free agency looming in 2025, the Bulls must decide whether to lock Giddey down with a long-term deal.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks suggested on The Lowe Post podcast that if a deal is reached before the season, some may view it as an overpayment. “I think if there is a deal that gets done by the start of the season, I think the initial reaction will be that Chicago overpaid,” Marks said.
Giddey’s impressive performance during the 2024 Paris Olympics—where he led Australia in points and assists—has bolstered his reputation, but his future contract value is still a topic of debate.
Marks suggested a salary in the $25 million per year range but admitted the number remains uncertain. “In order for this trade to make sense at all, Chicago needs to get Giddey signed to a solid deal,” said Keith Smith of Spotrac, proposing a four-year, $90 to $100 million deal with incentives around three-point shooting.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls Updates
While Giddey’s all-around abilities make him an intriguing piece, concerns remain. His poor three-point shooting (31% career average) and defensive struggles raise questions about his fit in the Bulls’ long-term plans. However, Giddey has acknowledged these weaknesses, stating his desire to improve both aspects of his game.
Giddey’s Impact on Chicago’s Roster
With Giddey now in Chicago, the Bulls’ backcourt rotation will see a shake-up. The team already has young talents like Coby White, who is coming off a breakout season, and Ayo Dosunmu, who plays a key role. Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic also remain integral to the team’s offensive identity, but Giddey’s addition will likely make him the primary ballhandler.
Zach Lowe of ESPN noted that Giddey is poised to put up big numbers in 2024-25, but questioned his broader impact. “He’s gonna put up numbers this year, there’s no question about that,” Lowe said on The Lowe Post. “He gets to be the engine of an offense now, right? He gets to be the No. 1 creator.”
However, Lowe raised concerns about whether Giddey can evolve into a more versatile player or if he’ll be limited to a primary ballhandler role. “If the only thing you can do well is be the No. 1 ballhandler on an offense—and we don’t really have any evidence that Josh Giddey can do anything else well other than rebound,” Lowe explained. He added that for the Bulls to become a great team, they will eventually need a player better than Giddey as their primary creator.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls Updates
Giddey himself expressed optimism about his fit with the Bulls but has not delved deeply into the team’s broader plans. “In terms of what direction the franchise is going, I haven’t asked any questions,” he said. “I’ve just kind of bought into whatever happens here, happens.”
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