Josh Giddey photo shows truth behind trade from OKC to Chicago

Josh Giddey is winning over his coach and his new teammates, but a post-game photo on Sunday revealed plenty about how he is viewed.

Josh Giddey appears to be settling into his new home in Chicago, but it’s clear he’s far from forgotten by his former NBA club.

The 22-year-old Aussie was traded to the Bulls from Oklahoma City back in June.

It’s a fresh start following three seasons in OKC, after the Thunder took him with the sixth pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

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While a number of his OKC teammates showed their support and disappointment on social media when he was traded, it’s not always clear if that online support is genuine.

The actions of the Thunder players on Sunday, however, proved he truly was beloved during his time in Oklahoma.

The stacked OKC line-up is one of the championship favourites and rolled to a 114-95 win over the Bulls in Chicago’s home opener.

Giddey made his home debut at Chicago’s United Center on Sunday.

After the game, Giddey was mobbed by his ex-teammates, who were seen laughing and clowning around with the Victorian while they took a group photo.

The moment clearly touched the Australian, who posted the photo as an Instagram story along with the caption: “My brothers for life!”

It continued a solid start to the season on and off the court for one of the key cogs of the Australian Boomers.

After going underground following the police investigation Giddey started dealing with late last year, he has gradually started using social media again.

Last week he posted a photo of himself shooting a free-throw in his Bulls uniform and, just like in his farewell post to OKC, a number of current Thunder players responded.

Jaylin Williams wrote “miss you buddy”, while superstar and MVP favourite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still coming to terms with Giddey’s departure, posting a crying emoji.

Giddey with his former OKC teammates. Photo: Twitter

Giddey’s role diminished at the tail end of his time with OKC and he is expected to play a much bigger part on a young Chicago team.

While he was booed on the road in the opening game against New Orleans, a reality he is likely to face for the foreseeable future, he has shown promising signs to date.

Through three games he is averaging 15 points, six rebounds and 5.3 assists on 48.6 per cent shooting.

Importantly, he is also shooting 44.4 per cent from three-point range, hitting four of his nine attempts so far, well above his career 31.2 per cent clip.

It’s a skill he has to improve if he is to keep opposition defences honest and realise his potential.

The Thunder were far too strong for Giddey and the Bulls. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Bulls coach Billy Donovan was asked about the trade that sent Alex Caruso to OKC in return for Giddey, praising the Aussie as a “pure point guard”.

“I do think that one of the things we talked about at the end of last season is, from an identity standpoint, how can we get back to playing the way we all want to play,” Donovan said.

“Alex is kind of a Swiss Army knife, he played point guard, power forward, two-guard, three-guard, guard the best guys in the league.

“But in a lot of ways we didn’t necessarily always have a pure point guard out there either and that’s where the Josh conversation came in.”

Giddey was also asked pre-game about taking on his old side for the first time.

“When you play your former team, you obviously circle it on your calendar,” he said.

“But you’ll never, ever hear me say a bad word about that organisation.

Giddey was key to Chicago’s victory over Milwaukee on Saturday. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images via AFP)

“Top to bottom, (they’re) unbelievable people. I’m looking forward to seeing them all. I love that organisation.”

Those comments earned some warm responses on X.

One fan wrote: “Class act from Giddey. The feeling is mutual. We miss you, Josh. OKC forever.”

Another wrote: “We love Giddey man, the trade was just needed for both parties, he will always be loved in OKC.”

A third added cheekily: “Class Josh Giddey. All of Thunder Nation is cheering for you! Just not tonight.”

Giddey got his first bucket on his new home floor with a spin move to get past excellent defender Lou Dort, then a reverse layup past Chet Holmgren.

Giddey goes reverse for his first Bulls bucket in the UC!@CHSN__ | @joshgiddeypic.twitter.com/I3retKmP7S

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 27, 2024

He then hit a one handed runner off the glass over Jalen Williams in a tidy start.

While he finished with 14 points, seven boards and four assists, Giddey also had four turnovers and a flagrant foul for a heavy shot on OKC centre Chet Holmgren.

He will clearly take some time settling in with his new teammates.

“We’ve talked a lot about the return of Alex Caruso. But Josh Giddey, highly motivated to play against his former team,” Bulls commentator Mark Schanowski said during the game.

“Yeah but sometimes you can get too motivated. You’ve just got to let the game come to you,” replied former Bull Stacey King.

As expected, the Thunder were far too strong for Chicago, stretching their lead throughout before rolling to the 19-point victory.

Giddey shoots over Chet Holmgren. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images via AFP)

Chicago paid tribute to former Bull Alex Caruso during the game.

The Bulls have a chance to even their ledger when they take on Memphis on Tuesday (AEDT), before clashes with the Magic, Nets and Jazz.

Holmgren, who had 21 points and 16 boards against the Bulls, was asked about good mate Giddey after the game.

“I don’t think anybody’s ever played with the same 15, 17 people their entire career,” he said.

“That’s how the league works. People and teams have to do what’s best for them business-wise. And you can’t hold that against anybody.

“When you get to go out there and hoop against guys that you know and you really like, you enjoy it all the same.”

Originally published as Josh Giddey photo shows truth behind trade from OKC to Chicago