NBA: Steph Curry, Wemby, could be in Josh Giddey’s future as OKC split appears inevitable

Josh Giddey’s time at the OKC Thunder is set for an inevitable split according to experts, but multiple teams have emerged as potential landing spots for the rising Australian NBA star.

Josh Giddey’s time at the OKC Thunder is set for an inevitable split according to experts, but multiple teams have emerged as potential landing spots for the rising Australian NBA star, including Victor Wembanyama’s San Antonio Spurs and Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors.

Giddey’s tenure in a Thunder singlet looks uncertain following a rollercoaster third season that finished with him starting on the bench for the first time in his career.

The Melbourne-born guard was relegated to an off the ball role at OKC behind gun guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and small forward Jalen Williams.

Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams are superior shooters to Giddey, which left him in an unfamiliar role as a third-string playmaker.

Josh Giddey faces an uncertain future at the OKC Thunder. Photo: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images.

As a result, the rising Boomers form dipped to career-lows in the 2023-24 NBA season.

Giddey averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists during the regular season, while his form didn’t get any better in the post-season.

In 10 games, he averaged just 8.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

Giddey started in OKC’s first eight playoff games, but he was benched for Game 5 and 6 in the Western Conference semi-finals against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Australian star declared his desire to stay at the Thunder long-term in his exit interview this week, but the decision may be taken out of his hands.

According to multiple NBA beat reporters, OKC is expected to shop Giddey in trade talks this off-season despite the fact he has one season remaining on his rookie deal worth $AU12.4 million.

The Boomers guard is also eligible for a rookie contract extension this off-season, which could net him a maximum five more seasons at the Thunder worth a whopping $AU325 million.

However, given Giddey’s current placement in OKC’s pecking order, it’s unlikely the club would offer him the maximum rookie extension.

Regardless, there is an option to extend the guard’s contract at the Thunder, which could put the Australian fan favourite in the firing line for a trade this off-season.

An emotional Josh Giddey talks about how hard this season was for him

(🎥 @SuaveCEO_) pic.twitter.com/fT9gn8b4Yg

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 20, 2024

It has been reportedly floated that OKC may attempt to trade Giddey alongside some of the franchise’s 13 future first-round picks to secure an impact player who is a better rotation fit.

The general consensus is a trade rather than extending his rookie contract would be the best result for both parties.

The Utah Jazz and Giddey have “mutual interest” according to senior NBA insider Chris Haynes, while other franchises have been mentioned as possible destinations.

The reality is the 21-year-old has so much to offer on the NBA stage as a 6’8 guard who can impact the game at both ends of the floor with his elite passing, defence and ability to make others better.

Code Sports spoke to basketball connections to canvas opinions on where Giddey could land – and excel – if the Thunder opt to trade him this off-season.

WHERE GIDDEY COULD LAND

San Antonio Spurs:

Giddey could form one of the NBA’s most potent one-two punches in San Antonio with French phenomenon Victor Wembanyama.

Standing at 7’4, with a remarkable 8-foot wingspan, Wembanyama is one of the NBA’s most imposing propositions.

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs is one of the NBA’s must-watch players. Photo: Ronald Cortes/Getty Images.

Giddey would be the perfect pick and roll partner for Wemby as a bigger guard with pinpoint passing and vision.

He would also greatly benefit from playing under veteran coach Gregg Popovich, who has a proven track record of developing some of the finest players the NBA has ever seen like Tony Parker and Tim Duncan.

Phoenix Suns:

There is no denying the star power in Phoenix, but the Suns have failed to shine like they should for some time now.

This came to the fore in 2023/2024 with the talented Suns failing to progress past the first-round of the playoffs.

The combination of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal is deadly at its best, but could Phoenix benefit from a facilitating point guard like Giddey?

It would take a decent trade offer to shift the contracted Booker or Beal away from the Suns, but would it be the best move for the franchise?

Golden State Warriors:

Many experts and fans alike have already declared the end of Golden State’s dynasty, but could Giddey help the Warriors defy the doubters in a selfless system where the Aussie guard could excel?

The San Francisco based franchise also has a valuable piece it could use as leverage in a potential trade in four-time NBA champion Klay Thompson.

Thompson is a free agent after completing the final season of a five-year deal with the Warriors this season.

Oklahoma City has already been floated as a potential landing spot for the veteran guard. The Thunder need more shooting – and a proven sniper in Thompson would be the perfect fit.

Could Josh Giddey join forces with Stephen Curry #30 at the Golden State Warriors if he leaves the OKC Thunder. Photo: Amanda Loman/Getty Images.

The Warriors could also benefit from Giddey – a big guard who could unlock the franchise’s stars through his razor sharp vision and passing.

The other layer is the uncertainty surrounding the future of veteran Golden State point guard Chris Paul, who is on a non-guaranteed $AU44 million contract for the upcoming 2024/2025 NBA season.

Following that season, Paul will become an unrestricted free agent.

He gave a noncommittal answer when asked about his future with the franchise after the Warriors lost to Sacramento in their elimination play-in game in April.

I’ll talk to my wife and my kids, my family, my support system, see what it looks like,” Paul told The Athletic. “But this isn’t (the end of my career). I know it for sure.”

Paul’s family also don’t live in San Francisco, which could play a vital role in his long-term future at the Warriors and open the door for a potential pursuit of Giddey.

Originally published as NBA: Steph Curry, Wemby, could be in Josh Giddey’s future as OKC split appears inevitable