While trading a 21-year-old rising star for a 30-year-old feels like the antithesis of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s blueprint, it was done confidently. Josh Giddey, who was traded to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Alex Caruso in June, stood out as OKC’s misfit a season ago, entirely falling out of the rotation during the postseason.
The Thunder acted fast and returned an NBA champion and one of the league’s top-rated defenders just a month after their season was over, leaving many to dub the franchise as one of the league’s most improved teams.
While all eyes in Bricktown will be on Caruso’s assimilation into the Thunder’s system next season, fans will keep Giddey in their peripherals to see how well his game translates to a scheme supposedly set to allow him maximum control over the basketball.
The outlook on Giddey
In addition to watching him develop in Chicago, the Australian is entering a contract year as he will be a restricted free agent next summer. That puts a ton into flux and puts pressure on the Bulls organization to convert on their trade while ensuring they have enough in place to secure Giddey for the future.