'They knew': OKC believed Giddey would be All-Star

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NBA champions Oklahoma City Thunder believed Australian Josh Giddey would become an All-Star but they traded him anyway.

Chicago Bulls Insider KC Johnson said: "I can tell you that in my conversations about that trade I was told that the Oklahoma City Thunder also believed Josh Giddey would be an All-Star at some point in his career, particularly in the Eastern Conference and in a role where he's best suited."

Melbourne-born Giddey, 23, was drafted by the Thunder with the sixth pick in 2021. He played three seasons at Oklahoma before being traded to the Chicago Bulls before the start of the 2024-25 season in a straight swap for defensive guard Alex Caruso.

"Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman made a very interesting point pregame," Johnson said.

"First of all he said he's playing at an All-Star level, and he unsolicited talked about how this trade that was mocked at the time is a trade that really has worked out for both teams. Because obviously he placed Alex Caruso on a team with a timeline more suited for his skill set and they win a championship, and now you've got Josh Giddey on a team that more fits his skill set, where you can put the ball in his hands and let him run the show.

"His usage is totally different obviously in Chicago than it would be in Oklahoma City with the MVP emergence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. (OKC GM) Sam Presti knew that.

"The Thunder executive Artūras Karnišovas knew that. The Bulls executive should have, the Bulls got draft compensation. That's the age-old argument, especially with all the draft picks the Oklahoma City Thunder have.

"I can tell you that in my conversations about that trade I was told that the Oklahoma City Thunder also believed Josh Giddey would be an All-Star at some point in his career, particularly in the Eastern Conference and in a role where he's best suited.

"And that was Adelman's point last night here in Denver: he's in a role that is best showcasing his strengths.

"You have to give him the ball. You have to let him run the show. And his ability to get to the rim, create pressure, get to the line, kick out for other shots is really, really shining thus far this season.

"The dude's averaging almost a triple-double, and that's why he is my pick for Banner Bull this week."

Without doubt, Giddey's fit with the Bulls is much better than with the Thunder. He wasn't the primary playmaker with the ball in the hands of reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander but he's now running the Bulls and playing at an All-Star level this season.

Giddey has delivered three triple doubles this season already and is averaging 21.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 9.4 assists in 11 games. He missed two games back-to-back with an ankle injured before leading the Bulls to a big-time road win against the Nuggets this week.

Josh Giddey — OKC vs Chicago (Per-Game Averages)

Oklahoma City Thunder (3 Seasons — Per Game)

GP: 210 │ MIN: 28.9 │ PTS: 13.9 │ REB: 7.3 │ AST: 5.7 │ STL: 0.8 │ BLK: 0.5 │ TOV: 2.6 │ FG: 5.8-12.5 (.464) │ 3PT: 1.0-3.3 (.310) │ 2PT: 4.8-9.3 (.518) │ eFG%: .504 │ FT: 1.2-1.7 (.753) │ PF: 1.6

Chicago Bulls (2 Seasons — Per Game)

GP: 81 │ MIN: 30.8 │ PTS: 15.6 │ REB: 8.4 │ AST: 7.5 │ STL: 1.2 │ BLK: 0.6 │ TOV: 3.0 │ FG: 5.6-12.1 (.466) │ 3PT: 1.5-4.0 (.374) │ 2PT: 4.1-8.1 (.512) │ eFG%: .529 │ FT: 2.8-3.6 (.774) │ PF: 1.8