It would be understandable if Josh Giddey harbored some negative feelings towards the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team that drafted him No. 6 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft only to trade him last offseason to the Chicago Bulls. Giddey was initially seen as a key player for the Thunder`s future, but the franchise opted to move in a different direction, acquiring veteran guard Alex Caruso in the exchange. Adding to the sense of disappointment, the Thunder went on to win their first NBA championship title in the very first season after Giddey`s departure.
Speaking on the Ball Magnets podcast, Giddey confessed his initial reaction to the trade. “When I left, I always thought that I`d be like, `Damn, I hope these guys miss the playoffs. I hope these guys don`t have any success,`” he said. However, his perspective has since changed. “But now watching it, as the season went on, I seriously love watching them. Obviously I`m with the Bulls, but the next team I`ve watched the most is OKC.”
Giddey attributes this shift to the strong bonds he developed with many players and people within the organization during his tenure in Oklahoma City. Despite now wearing a Bulls uniform, he maintains a deep connection to the Thunder, actively supporting their progress and expressing hope of attending a game in OKC if his schedule permits.
He elaborated, stating, “I love them, and I`m so close with a lot of the guys there, so that`s probably the main thing. I genuinely root for those guys and want them to win the championship. I`m just so close with so many people there. … That place is unbelievable to play in in the playoffs. OKC fans are unbelievable. And like I said, the relationships that I have with the players, I genuinely hoped that if the Bulls don`t win it, I hope the Thunder win it. Because I`m close with the guys. That organization was so good to me through my three years, four years there, so I wish them and those guys nothing but the best and love watching them play.”
During his three seasons with the Thunder, Giddey established himself as one of the league`s promising young point guards. He averaged 13.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game, becoming a key playmaker and a significant part of the Thunder`s rebuilding efforts.
Despite his consistent production and role, the Thunder ultimately traded Giddey to Chicago. Since joining the Bulls, the 22-year-old guard has continued to showcase his talent, averaging 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists during the 2024-25 season, contributing to the Bulls` playoff aspirations.
Giddey is scheduled to become a restricted free agent during the upcoming offseason and has not yet agreed to a new contract with the Bulls.
Jasper Hawthorne