With the Oklahoma City Thunder losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA playoffs, the team has to make some hard choices. First and foremost: what are they going to do with forward Josh Giddey?
There was a time when Giddey was one of the most intriguing players on the Thunder. But while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (a top-two MVP candidate), Jalen Williams (a fringe All-Star candidate) and Chet Holmgren (a top-two Rookie of the Year candidate) have been starring in the 2024 playoffs, it’s Giddey who seems on his way out.
Chosen with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Australian basketball product went ahead of Franz Wagner, Alperen Şengün, Jalen Johnson and a number of other quality young guys. And in his rookie year, Giddey started in all of the 54 games he played, averaging 12.5 points, 6.4 assists and 7.8 rebounds. The 6-foot-8 versatile wing, who can play every position on the court besides center, improved in his second year, starting in all 76 games he played and averaging 16.6 points, 6.2 assists and 7.9 rebounds. But now, in his third year, he seems to have taken a step back.
While he started in all 80 of his games this year, his averages fell to 12.3 points, 4.8 assists and 6.4 rebounds. And his minutes dropped from 31.5 as a rookie and 31.1 as a second-year player to 25.1 this season. The biggest reason for that is he is not (yet) a knock-down shooter from three-point range and so when SGA is in the game and doing his skilled herky-jerky yo-yo moves with the ball, Giddey either clogs up the lane or can’t space the floor. In this way, Giddey is looking more like Ben Simmons than Manu Ginóbili. What’s worse for Giddey is that in this year’s playoffs, he’s playing just 19 minutes per game and averaging 9.4 points, 2.2 assists and 3.6 boards.
With each game, it seems that he just isn’t compatible with SGA and the rest of the team. Perhaps if he took a page out of Ginóbili’s book and came off the bench as the orchestrator of the second unit, maybe that would solve his problems. But that would require a sense of buy-in and teamwork. A sense of chemistry. But Giddey doesn’t seem to have that with his Thunder mates these days. When the squad wins and they all gather together for the postgame interview, Giddey at times isn’t in the huddle barking with the boys. Perhaps that’s anecdotal. But what isn’t is that he’s regularly lost his spot in the starting five for the second halves of games (and even to begin some games, too).
Even worse is the matter that took place earlier this year when Giddey was accused of sleeping with a minor. News came out in January that he would not face charges, but that hasn’t gotten him off the hook during away games, with many crowds booing him as soon as he touches the ball. Even if OKC wants to trade Giddey, it’s possible this situation could make it tougher for the Thunder to move him (or get the kind of return that they would want).
The 21-year-old still has one year remaining on his rookie contract after this season, which should give many teams flexibility to take on his salary and see if he’s a fit in their city and organization. It certainly seems that Giddey would benefit from a fresh start. Let’s examine a handful of potential landing spots for Giddey.
Toronto Raptors get: Josh Giddey
Oklahoma City Thunder get: Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk
Analysis: This trade works in the summer once Gordon Hayward’s contract comes off the books for OKC. The Thunder traded for the small forward earlier this year to help with cap flexibility, so they may not actually be looking to take on more money. But Brown only has one more year left on his deal, and Olynyk only has two years remaining (after agreeing to an extension). Both players would help OKC improve its one weakness: rebounding. And Giddy would provide a spark and much-needed playmaking for a lackluster Raptors squad.
Brooklyn Nets get: Josh Giddey
Oklahoma City Thunder get: Nic Claxton (sign-and-trade)
Analysis: Brooklyn, even more than Toronto, is the most boring team in the NBA. So, could they use a floppy-haired Australian who can push the pace? Sure! Could Giddey help set up Mikal Bridges? You bet. The ironic part of this trade, which would require center Nic Claxton to participate in a sign-and-trade, is that Giddey and his fellow-Australian Simmons would reunite for a year. But it would all be worth it for Brooklyn to get some verge and for OKC to get some help down low.
Orlando Magic get: Josh Giddey, Kenrich Williams
Oklahoma City Thunder get: Wendell Carter Jr.
Analysis: Carter Jr. seems like the perfect OKC player. He can start, come off the bench and just do whatever the franchise needs. He’s a winning player but not one who demands a ton of touches. He could push Chet to power forward or back him up, depending on the matchup. And Giddey would give the Magic a lead ball-handler and help clarify the morass at guard. He could start with Jalen Suggs, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero and Jonathan Isaac. And while that isn’t a lot of knock-down shooting, Giddey is shooting 37.5% from deep in these playoffs. So, perhaps there’s hope for him to improve there, too.
Just kidding, Phoenix doesn’t have anything to trade.
San Antonio Spurs get: Josh Giddey
Oklahoma City Thunder get: Tre Jones, 2024 No. 8 pick
Analysis: If the conservative Spurs are willing to deal with Giddey’s recent off-court issues, this is a perfect fit. Giddey would fit well in San Antonio alongside their franchise cornerstone, Victor Wembanyama, who’s desperate for a ball-handler that can throw him a pass from the wing. Giddey can push the pace off a rebound or an outlet. And if OKC got Tre Jones back in the deal, he’s the kind of bench point guard the Thunder need. Throw in the No. 8 pick in a weak draft and, well, you can call it in now! (The Thunder could also take back Zach Collins instead of Jones, if they’d prefer).
