Chicago Bulls trade a plus for Josh Giddey, but he still needs to capitalise on his potential to prove he can be a franchise-leading star

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian believes Josh Giddey’s trade to the Chicago Bulls may unlock the Aussie’s potential as a star playmaker.

An opponent last season, Josh Giddey will be a Chicago Bull after the trade. Picture: Joshua Gateley/Getty Images

Boomers coach Brian Goorjian has endorsed Josh Giddey’s trade to the Chicago Bulls, but the gifted guard still needs to capitalise on his potential to prove he can be a franchise-leading star.

Goorjian couldn’t be happier with Giddey’s shift to the Bulls – a rebuilding club that allow the rising Australian to be the man with the ball in his hands.

The talented 21-year-old is coming off the most challenging season in his career at the Thunder, which ended in his benching and eventual trade.

Giddey fell down the pecking order at OKC behind playmakers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, who became the franchise’s go-to players.

It left the young Australian in an unfamiliar off-the-play role, which combined with his inconsistent shooting, wasn’t the ideal fit for the Thunder.

BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are trading two-time All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for guard Josh Giddey, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/V3t12MA3Uo

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2024

Chicago – the NBA’s third-biggest market – will hand Giddey the playmaking keys, but there is still pressure on him to convert his ability into consistent performance.

Goorjian, though, is backing his young Boomers star to make his move to the Bulls a big success.

He believes Giddey can follow in the footsteps of a player like Jalen Brunson, who has made his move from Dallas to New York a success.

“Absolutely pumped,” Goorjian said when asked about Giddey’s trade from OKC to Chicago, which sent Bulls veteran guard Alex Caruso to the Thunder.

“OKC was great but one of the best players in the world was in his spot in Gilgeous-Alexander.

“In Chicago the ball will be in his hands and I’m hoping it will be a Brunson situation.”

Giddey’s trade to from OKC to Chicago has been described as inevitable, according to beat reporters in the US.

While the Thunder possess enormous respect for the young Aussie as a player and person, it was widely felt that his skills weren’t complimentary to the franchise’s other players.

It’s why OKC moved quickly to secure Caruso – one of the NBA’s best defenders who shoots 41 per cent from three-point range.

In comparison, Giddey shot just 33.7 per cent from three for the Thunder last season.

In Caruso, OKC will receive a seven-season NBA veteran and champion following his title with the LA Lakers in 2020.

Josh Giddey of the Boomers dribbles the ball during the match between Australia Boomers and Venezuela at Rod Laver Arena. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images.

On the plus side for Giddey, the Paris Olympics are just weeks away, allowing the guard’s career reboot to officially kick start.

The Boomers head into camp in Melbourne next week ahead of warm-up games against China.

Goorjian has hailed Giddey Australia’s key player for the Paris Olympic campaign, which is perfect timing to rebuild his confidence.

Like last year’s World Cup, the Boomers will put the ball in the young guard’s hands to lead the side around the court.

Giddey becomes the fifth Australian to join the Chicago Bulls, alongside Luc Longley, Chris Anstey, Luke Schenscher and Cam Bairstow.

Anstey is another person who believes the Melbourne-born guard can excel at the Bulls as the franchise’s main guard.

“On the surface it allows the Bulls to build within the same system they imagined with Lonzo Ball,” said Anstey, who played 73 NBA games for Chicago in the 1999/2000 season.

“It seems to be an environment that will allow Josh to play a role greater than what OKC plan, and allow Josh to continue to explore his potential.”

Originally published as Chicago Bulls trade a plus for Josh Giddey, but he still needs to capitalise on his potential to prove he can be a franchise-leading star