'$30M man': Giddey showed he's worth every cent

• Australian Josh Giddey is a restricted free agent and is chasing a five-year, $150M extension
• Giddey was just two steals short of a history-making quadruple double against the Los Angeles Lakers
• The Australian Boomers guard lodged seven triple doubles in 2024-25

After being traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Chicago Bulls, Australian guard Josh Giddey silenced critics and established himself as one of the most versatile young players in the NBA during the 2024-25 season.

The Melbourne-born 22-year-old's consistent improvement throughout the campaign showcased his ability to impact games in multiple ways beyond just scoring.

The turning point for Giddey came when the Bulls traded Zach LaVine to the Sacramento Kings just before the February 2025 deadline.

Early Adjustment Period

When Giddey first suited up for the Bulls in October 2024, there were questions about how he would fit into Chicago's system. He began the season with modest performances, averaging a solid 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.1 assists through his first 15 games while shooting 41.2% from the field.

His early-season adjustments were evident during a five-game stretch in November where he failed to score more than 11 points in four of those contests. During a November 15, 2024 matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Giddey played just 15 minutes, scoring five points on 2-of-9 shooting.

Finding His Rhythm

As the calendar turned to December, Giddey began showing flashes of the all-around player that made him the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

On December 28, 2024 he delivered one of his most complete performances — the first triple double of his Bulls tenure — 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists on 9-of-15 shooting in a win against the Milwaukee Bucks.

This triple-double marked a turning point in Giddey's season, as he began to look more comfortable orchestrating the Bulls' offense while also contributing as a rebounder and scorer.

“I think from the 50 games at the start of the season, it was two completely different players and not only talking statistically," he said.

"It was a confidence level, aggression level, effort level. You asked me to sell myself, I’d say the second half of the year is the player who I am. The first half was a completely different guy; confidence was down, aggression down. Probably was down trying to fit in too much."

Statistical Surge in the New Year

The new year brought continued growth for Giddey. The LaVine trade put the ball in Giddey's hands and played to his strengths as a big, playmaking guard.

Between January and April 2025, the Australian guard elevated his production across the board:

• Scoring: 16.8 points per game (up from 12.3 in the first two months)
• Rebounding: 9.2 rebounds per game (up from 5.7)
• Assists: 7.7 assists per game (up from 6.1)
• Field goal percentage: 48.3% (up from 41.2%)
• Three-point percentage: 38.6% (up from 30.1%)

Perhaps the most significant improvement came in Giddey's shooting efficiency. Known primarily as a playmaker with questionable shooting touch during his time in Oklahoma City, he worked diligently to transform this weakness into a strength.

Three-Point Evolution

One of the most encouraging aspects of Giddey's development was his improved three-point shooting. After connecting on just 30.1% of his attempts from beyond the arc in the first two months of the season, he shot 38.6% from January through April.

This improvement was highlighted during a four-game stretch in late March and early April where Giddey shot 10-of-20 (50%) from three-point range, including a 4-of-9 performance in a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on March 27, 2025.

Rebounding Prowess

At 203cm, Giddey's height gives him an advantage over many point guards, and he leveraged this physical edge to become one of the best rebounding guards in the league. He recorded 10 or more rebounds in 22 games during the 2024-25 season, including a career-high 19 boards against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 4, 2025.

His ability to secure defensive rebounds and immediately push the pace created numerous transition opportunities for the Bulls, a dimension that became increasingly valuable as the season progressed.

Playmaking Excellence

While Giddey's scoring and rebounding improved significantly, his court vision and passing ability remained his greatest strengths. He recorded 10 or more assists in 16 games, highlighted by a 17-assist performance against the Lakers on March 22 in which he also added eight steals.

This game showcased Giddey's defensive growth as well, as his eight steals set a new career high and tied the Bulls' franchise record for steals in a single game, previously held by Michael Jordan.

Triple-Double Threat

Giddey's versatility was perhaps best illustrated by his triple-double production. He recorded seven triple-doubles during the 2024-25 season.

His most impressive triple-double came on March 22 against the Lakers when he posted 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 17 assists along with those eight steals in a dominant 121-98 victory. He was just two steals short of the most elusive box score in NBA history — the quadruple double.

Late-Season Surge

As the Bulls made their playoff push in the final months of the season, Giddey played some of his best basketball. From March 1 through April 9, he averaged 20.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, and 9.4 assists while shooting an outstanding 50.9% from the field and 41.8% from three-point range.

During this 20-game stretch, the Bulls went 13-7, solidifying their position in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Giddey's performance in an April 9 victory over the Miami Heat — 28 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists, and three blocks on 11-of-19 shooting — showcased his full arsenal.

Areas for Continued Growth

Despite his tremendous improvement, Giddey still has aspects of his game that require refinement. Turnovers remained an issue at times, as he averaged 2.9 per game for the season. In seven games, he committed five or more turnovers, including a season-high seven against the Lakers on March 27.

Additionally, his free-throw shooting, while improved at 78.1% for the season, still lags behind elite point guards.

Overall Impact on the Bulls

The trade for Giddey has proven to be one of the shrewdest moves by the Bulls' front office. His presence allowed the team to deploy multiple playmakers simultaneously, creating a more dynamic and unpredictable offence.

When sharing the court with fellow guards Lonzo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu, the Bulls outscored opponents by 7.2 points per 100 possessions, one of the best three-man lineup combinations in the league.

Furthermore, Giddey's rebounding and transition playmaking helped the Bulls increase their pace from 20th in the league in 2023-24 to 12th in 2024-25.

Looking Ahead

Giddey is an restricted free agent, which means he can test his market value, which the Bulls can choose to match. There is speculation he is chasing a five-year, $150M deal that would take him to his 27th birthday.

At just 22 years old, Giddey's ceiling remains remarkably high. If his shooting improvement proves sustainable and he continues to refine his defence, he could emerge as one of the premier two-way guards in the NBA and the Australian Boomers starting point guard for the next decade — at least.