Josh Giddey, the 21-year-old Australian guard, expressed his eagerness for a fresh beginning with the Chicago Bulls after confirming his reluctance to accept a bench role with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Giddey, who stood at 6-foot-8, emphasized his appreciation for Thunder general manager Sam Presti’s candid approach leading up to his recent trade for Alex Caruso.
“I’m 21 years old, it wasn’t something that I was overly eager to do,” Giddey stated during a videoconference. “He completely understood. And just throughout the whole process, we were open and honest with each other.”
Giddey’s transition to Chicago follows a challenging season where he experienced a decline in statistical performance and lost his starting position during the playoffs. Moving from a team that secured the top seed in the Western Conference to one that missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year marks a significant change for the young talent.
Regarding his role with the Bulls, Giddey indicated that specific discussions had not yet taken place. However, given his stance on coming off the bench in Oklahoma City, it appears unlikely that he would accept such a role in Chicago.
The 2021 No. 6 overall draft pick, Giddey earned All-Rookie second team honors and is a member of Australia’s national team competing in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Known for his exceptional passing and rebounding abilities, Giddey averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game in the 2023-24 season, following more robust figures in his rookie year.
Giddey’s trade to Chicago marks the beginning of what could be a transformative offseason for the Bulls, who hold the No. 11 pick in the upcoming draft. Executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas has expressed intent to enact changes following a disappointing 39-43 season.
The team faces decisions on key players such as free agent DeMar DeRozan and the future of Zach LaVine, who signed a substantial contract extension but faced injury setbacks last season. The guard rotation, now including Giddey alongside breakout player Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, remains a focal point for the team’s upcoming season strategy.
Giddey refrained from commenting on past controversies surrounding him, including unsubstantiated allegations that led to investigations by Newport Beach police and the NBA.
“In terms of what direction the franchise is going, I haven’t asked any questions,” Giddey commented. “I’ve just kind of bought into whatever happens here, happens.”
