When discussing Josh Giddey, it’s easy to overlook the fact that he just turned 22 years old last week amidst conversations about his elite playmaking, defensive shortcomings, and variable 3-point shooting.
Despite the doubts surrounding Giddey’s true potential in the NBA, it’s just a few years since he made headlines as the youngest player to achieve a triple-double.
While the significance of triple-doubles as a measure of a player’s value in the modern NBA is debatable, there’s no denying that Giddey had a tangible impact on winning during his rookie season, even with a team that struggled overall.
Now, three years later, Giddey is entering his fourth NBA season at a pivotal moment in his career.
After establishing himself in Oklahoma City, it became evident toward the end of last season that a new environment would be advantageous for both him and the team.
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Josh Giddey needed a change of scenery. (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
For the Thunder, this transition could secure them an elite defensive player in Alex Caruso, who is expected to integrate smoothly into the championship-contending roster that Sam Presti is assembling.
This change also grants coach Mark Daigneault the opportunity to focus more on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, who represent the future backcourt duo of the franchise.
Regarding Giddey, the off-ball role he occupied in Oklahoma City last season clearly did not showcase his strengths. The aim now is for him to become the centerpiece of a Bulls team that has been working to define its identity over recent years.
It seems the intention is to shift Chicago’s previously slow-paced offense toward a completely new and faster approach this season, heralding a different era of Bulls basketball.
With his outstanding passing and court vision, Giddey can play a crucial role in facilitating this transition.
However, while this season is significant for the Bulls regarding their direction both in the short and long term, it is equally crucial for Giddey on a personal level.
Chicago clearly acquired Giddey with the intention of making him a vital component of the roster, both now and in the future, but he also finds himself in the final year of his rookie contract.
Josh Giddey is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
This scenario places the Bulls in a fascinating position, where it may be prudent to wait and see how Giddey meshes with the team before committing to a long-term contract extension.
For Giddey, the pressing question is whether he can
To revive his still very young career in Chicago, Giddey must demonstrate his value; otherwise, teams may begin to consider offering the 22-year-old a new contract.
This leads us to the notion that the 2024-25 season could be the most pivotal in Giddey’s career. Here, foxsports.com.au outlines what to expect and the major decision the Bulls will face.
WHAT WILL HIS ROLE BE?
Let’s start with this key question. Even if Giddey becomes the starting point guard, that doesn’t fully address the concern.
The crucial inquiry revolves around his role on the Bulls’ roster. Similar to Oklahoma City, Giddey thrives when he has the ball in his hands, yet he will face considerable competition for touches.
Moreover, Chicago has a strong incentive to continue running their offense through Zach LaVine, who has frequently been mentioned in trade discussions. The Bulls aren’t in an advantageous bargaining position regarding his contract.
LaVine inked a five-year, $215 million max contract extension back in 2022, leaving him with three years and nearly $138 million still owed. This hefty sum complicates any team’s willingness to acquire the 29-year-old.
What does Zach LaVine’s future in Chicago hold? Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
If LaVine isn’t a central figure in this season’s offense, convincing teams of his trade value becomes an even greater challenge, particularly if the Bulls need him to perform at an All-Star level again.
Conversely, having him play primarily off-ball, where he struggles to find his rhythm and acts as a secondary option alongside Giddey and Coby White, would not facilitate that goal.
On the subject of White, he enjoyed a breakout 2023-24 season, and while he’s more adept than Giddey at playing off the ball, the Bulls are unlikely to overlook his contributions from last season.
The same applies to Ayo Dosunmu, in addition to the returning Lonzo Ball.
Ideally, the Bulls would want to derive value from LaVine and Nikola Vučević’s contracts while simultaneously moving towards a future centered around Giddey, White, rookie combo forward Matas Buzelis, and Patrick Williams, who signed a five-year, $90 million contract in June.
However, perfectly balancing these competing interests poses a complex challenge, as Will Gottlieb, lead writer and podcast co-host for CHGO, pointed out.
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“He compels you to adopt a certain approach, and I believe that is the central question for this team. How will they respond?” Gottlieb stated on the ‘CHGO Chicago Bulls Podcast’.
“Will they lean into it and surround him with shooting and spacing? And if so, how will that affect the roles of the other players on the roster? What implications does it have for the usage of players like Coby, Ayo, and Patrick?
“Furthermore, why did it not succeed in OKC? To me, it’s not simply about his counting stats or whether his usage rate increases or decreases.
“What I truly want to ascertain is whether the Bulls are aiming to build around him and, if so, can he demonstrate that he is deserving of that role? Is he a cornerstone piece? If he isn’t, then transitioning him into a complementary role becomes exceedingly challenging. Conversely, if he is indeed foundational, how do you construct a team around him?”
This brings us back to the fundamental reason why this season is crucial for Giddey.
In a perfect scenario, Giddey becomes the main playmaker for a Bulls team that is on the upswing, forming a strong partnership with White in the backcourt and signing an extension that secures him as a prominent face of the franchise for years to come.
Coby White had a breakout season. Jamie Sabau/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
There’s a possibility that this unfolds, especially considering how well Giddey can integrate into the revamped offense the Bulls aim to implement this season, with Coach Billy Donovan emphasizing a faster pace that fosters scoring opportunities in transition.
During media day, Giddey mentioned that there has been a significant focus on creating early scoring chances in the preseason through scrimmages featuring 14-second shot clocks.
“Once it becomes a routine, this team will be formidable in the open court,” he stated.
Given Giddey’s height of 6-foot-8 and his exceptional court vision, he undoubtedly has the potential to be the driving force behind Chicago’s transition game.
His consistent presence on the defensive boards will be particularly beneficial, as it will enable him to quickly secure the ball and generate fast-break opportunities.
However, despite his remarkable ability to execute full-court passes and fit balls into tight spaces, Giddey sometimes tends to overreach — attempting passes that come dangerously close to threading a needle.
During media day, Giddey acknowledged this tendency, and the Bulls were aware of it when they traded for him, accepting the notion that at times, the good comes with the bad.
Not every attempt will succeed. There will be moments when Giddey turns the ball over while trying to initiate a quick tempo, but with experience, he will find the right equilibrium.
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<p“I'm confident in my abilities, but there are instances where I attempt passes in my mind that might not be feasible in the moment. It's a confidence-related issue,” Giddey explained during media day.
“As a passer, you can’t always play on the edge; you need to be willing to make those passes. There will be times when you give the ball away, but it’s about finding a balance, and I’ve discussed this with Billy.
“During the Olympics, if I could improve on anything, it would be my turnovers. Many stemmed from careless passes rather than a lack of ball-handling skills, and those are fairly easy to rectify.
“I’ve always leaned towards being a pass-first player, so when I’m making those plays, it’s vital to protect the basketball.”
While the Bulls are eager for Giddey to be their main facilitator, they also need him to be a constant scoring threat—whether it involves attacking the basket or releasing the ball confidently when an open 3-point shot presents itself.
Giddey simply needs to gain enough respect from opponents so they must accurately contest him or account for his drives to the rim, rather than assume he is always looking to pass first.
He displayed glimpses of this ability during his tenure with Oklahoma City and proved more consistently capable of finishing at the rim in a ball-dominant role for the Boomers, giving the Bulls confidence that this version of Giddey exists within him.
Josh Giddey in new colours. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
His teammates are equally optimistic about Giddey’s playmaking talents, with both LaVine and White praising the Australian during media day.
“We have an exceptional playmaker in Josh,
“I understand the roles I fulfill, and I’ve been successful in various situations. If what’s needed changes day to day—whether it’s being on the ball, playing off the ball, focusing on defense, rebounding, or providing leadership—I’m comfortable with any role,” LaVine stated.
White added, “He’s a really tall guard. He possesses excellent passing skills, has a high basketball IQ, and displays a competitive nature. What I appreciate most about him is his fierce competitiveness—he wants to win and won’t back down.”
Additionally, White expressed his willingness to play off the ball if necessary, explaining to reporters that he has been adapting to “different roles” throughout his career and would “thrive” in any adjustments required.
According to Giddey, having multiple ball-handlers in Chicago is a “big luxury.” He noted that all players have recognized the need to “sacrifice” for one another this season.
This sentiment was also emphasized by Coach Donovan during his media day press conference.
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<p“Everyone will need to make sacrifices,” Donovan remarked.
“We cannot have one player dominating the ball all the time. We must find a way to play that highlights the strengths of all our players.”
When discussing sacrifice, the Bulls organization should consider the possibility of trading some immediate wins for the sake of instilling optimism for their fans about the future.
It remains uncertain if Giddey will be part of that future, as well as whether the Bulls will offer him a contract before the start of the season.
WILL THE BULLS PAY HIM NOW?
Oklahoma City faced challenges in justifying a financial commitment to Giddey, especially with Gilgeous-Alexander eligible for a supermax extension in the upcoming offseason, while Williams and Chet Holmgren are also nearing rookie extension eligibility.
It quickly became evident that if Giddey remained in Oklahoma City, his role would likely be limited to the bench, significantly affecting his earning potential in his next contract.
For the Bulls, the pressing question is whether they will attempt to finalize a deal before the season begins to take advantage of Giddey’s relatively low market value, all the while risking uncertainty about his fit and potential as a key foundational player.
Keith Smith, an NBA Salary Cap Analyst at Spotrac, highlighted this concern in mid-September when asked if he believed the Bulls would negotiate a contract with Giddey prior to the onset of the season.
“Let’s observe how this unfolds because, frankly, the current roster has numerous players who need the ball in their hands,” Smith remarked on the ‘Game Theory Podcast w/ Sam Vecenie’.
“I am uncertain how this will pan out for Josh Giddey. I’ve heard it mentioned that ‘Oklahoma City had a lot of players, and he managed to have the ball’. But it’s not the same here; this situation is entirely different.
“In Oklahoma City, there was a clear pecking order. Here, the hierarchy seems muddled because not much about this team is very clear.”
Where does Josh Giddey fit at Chicago? Michael Reaves/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP
Considering this, Smith suggested that the Bulls would be better off either committing to Giddey now or trading him before the deadline.
“… I’m not sure if there’s a middle ground.”
“Let’s see how the season unfolds and decide from there,” Smith remarked, “as I believe there’s a strong possibility he will come close to averaging a triple-double this year.”
“… That could serve as a significant selling point, and it’s genuinely important to many people.”
On the ‘Lowe Post podcast’, ESPN’s Front Office Insider Bobby Marks stated that if a deal is finalized before the season starts, the “initial reaction is likely to be that Chicago overpaid.”
He elaborated that the Bulls might choose to let Giddey lead the offense in his first year as a “barometer” for evaluating what his next contract might entail.
Alternatively, considering the impressive performances Giddey displayed during the Olympics and the fact that they traded Alex Caruso to acquire him, the Bulls could see him as “our guy moving forward” and extend an offer that reflects that belief, even if it means paying more than expected.
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For Giddey’s representatives, the challenge lies in determining the level of interest from other teams and leveraging that against the Bulls. Conversely, if interest is limited, it places Chicago in a strong position to present what it believes to be a fair offer, promising Giddey the chance to lead the offense.
If Giddey prioritizes financial gain over a prominent role, then the Bulls can observe the market dynamics while focusing on providing opportunities to other players like White and LaVine, assuming he remains with the team.
much like Giddey’s position within the squad, his contract situation is equally intricate, adding an intriguing subplot as the season approaches.
Josh Giddey at a Crossroads: The Chicago Bulls’ Key Decision-Making Season
Overview of Josh Giddey
Josh Giddey, born on October 10, 2002, is a professional basketball player hailing from Australia. He was drafted sixth overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2021 NBA Draft. Known for his exceptional passing ability and court vision, Giddey has made a significant impact in the league, showcasing skills that blend playmaking and scoring. His recent trade to the Chicago Bulls marks a pivotal moment in his career, as well as for the franchise itself.
The Chicago Bulls’ Current Landscape
The Chicago Bulls, a storied franchise in the NBA, have faced numerous ups and downs in recent seasons. After a series of disappointing playoff appearances, the organization has shifted gears, aiming to revitalize its roster and restore its competitive edge. Giddey’s addition to the team presents both opportunities and challenges. Here are several key considerations for the Bulls as they navigate this crucial season:
1. Roster Dynamics
- Star Players: The Bulls need to integrate Giddey alongside established stars such as Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.
- Young Talent Development: With Giddey, the Bulls have a youthful playmaker who can elevate the performance of younger players.
- Team Chemistry: Building a cohesive unit will be essential, especially with Giddey’s unique playing style.
2. Strategy and Play Style
Giddey’s playmaking abilities will influence the Bulls’ offensive strategy:
- Ball Movement: Giddey excels in making quick, strategic passes, which can lead to better shot opportunities.
- Fast Break Opportunities: His vision allows the Bulls to exploit fast break situations, capitalizing on transition plays.
- Increased Scoring Opportunities: By drawing defenders, he opens up lanes for both LaVine and DeRozan, potentially boosting their scoring averages.
Key Decision Factors for the Bulls
The Bulls are at a crossroads with several vital decision-making factors to consider:
1. Giddey’s Role in the Offense
The coaching staff must determine whether Giddey will serve as the primary ball-handler or share responsibilities with LaVine. This decision will alter the offensive flow significantly:
| Role | Impact |
|---|---|
| Primary Ball-Handler | Increases playmaking responsibility, potentially leading to more assists. |
| Shared Responsibilities | Encourages versatility and allows for dynamic scoring options. |
2. Defensive Adjustments
Incorporating Giddey also requires defensive adjustments. His height (6’8”) allows him to guard multiple positions, which could enhance the Bulls’ defensive schemes:
- Switching Defense: Giddey’s size enables effective switching on screens, creating mismatches.
- Help Defense: His awareness can improve the team’s help defense, making the Bulls harder to score against.
3. Long-Term Goals vs. Short-Term Success
Balancing the franchise’s long-term aspirations with immediate success is crucial. The Bulls must decide:
- Development vs. Win Now: Should they prioritize developing Giddey and other young players or push for immediate playoff contention?
- Trade Considerations: If the season does not go as planned, will the Bulls consider trading veterans to better align with a youth movement centered around Giddey?
Benefits of Giddey’s Addition
Josh Giddey’s presence on the Bulls can bring several advantages:
- Enhanced Creativity: Giddey’s ability to create plays can spice up the Bulls’ offense.
- Leadership Development: As a young player, Giddey can grow into a leadership role, fostering team unity.
- Exciting Gameplay: His style of play can energize fans, creating a more engaging game-day experience.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the many benefits, the Bulls will face challenges with Giddey:
- Pressure to Perform: Expectations will be high for Giddey to contribute significantly from the get-go.
- Adapting to a New Environment: Transitioning from Oklahoma City to Chicago can be daunting, impacting performance.
- Injury Risks: The NBA season is long, and managing player health will be critical.
Case Studies: Successful Integrations in the NBA
Looking at other players who have successfully transitioned to new teams can provide valuable insights. Here are a few examples:
| Player | Previous Team | New Team | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | Dallas Mavericks | New York Knicks | Led team to playoffs with strong playmaking. |
| James Harden | Houston Rockets | Brooklyn Nets | Transformed offense and increased team synergy. |
| D’Angelo Russell | Los Angeles Lakers | Brooklyn Nets | Grew into an All-Star player with better role clarity. |
Practical Tips for Giddey’s Success
To maximize Giddey’s impact on the Bulls, consider these practical tips:
- Engage in Team-Building: Organize off-court activities to bond with teammates.
- Focus on Conditioning: Prioritize physical fitness to endure the season’s demands.
- Seek Mentorship: Learning from experienced players can help Giddey transition smoothly.
Conclusion
As the Chicago Bulls enter a critical decision-making season, Josh Giddey stands at the forefront of their strategy. His unique skill set has the potential to reshape the team’s dynamics significantly. With the right adjustments and support, Giddey could be the catalyst the Bulls need to return to playoff contention.
