NBA star Josh Giddey’s trade to the Chicago Bulls finally explained

The truth behind Josh Giddey’s NBA trade has been revealed, with the Aussie and some ex-teammates reacting to the news.

Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Photos: Getty Images

The truth behind Josh Giddey’s trade from Oklahoma City to Chicago has been revealed as his former Thunder teammates reacted to the move.

Taken with the sixth pick in the 2021 draft, a higher position than most pundits predicted, Giddey was tabbed as a key piece of a young, exciting Thunder team.

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Starting all-but two games of his three seasons in OKC, Giddey’s role ultimately diminished in his third year as a raft of Thunder stars emerged.

Those two games were the final two clashes of the Thunder’s second-round playoff exit against Dallas.

In its post-season review, OKC determined the young Aussie would fill a bench role moving forward.

That led 21-year-old Giddey to put forward the idea of a trade, as Thunder general manager Sam Presti explained in a press release.

Josh Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Photos: Getty Images

“As we laid out to Josh how he could lean into his strengths and ultimately optimise our current roster and talent, it was hard for him to envision,” Presti wrote.

“And conversations turned to him inquiring about potential opportunities elsewhere.

“As always has been the case, Josh demonstrated the utmost professionalism throughout the discussions.

“Josh has All-Star potential, but accessing that in the current construct of the Thunder would not be optimal for the collective.

“Based on these discussions we decided to move forward and prioritise what was best for the organisation.”

It was revealed on Friday that Giddey was being traded to the Bulls, the organisation made famous by Michael Jordan that has been mired in mediocrity for years, in a straight swap for veteran guard Alex Caruso.

The 30-year-old Caruso, who has made All-Defensive teams the past two years and shot 40.8 per cent from three-point territory last season, will immediately fill some needs for the young Thunder line-up.

Giddey had fallen down the pecking order at the young Thunder. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Giddey’s numbers were down just about across the board in his third season, with a months-long police and NBA investigation and the emergence of some of his OKC teammates taking a toll on his production.

Presti acknowledged even his organisation had been surprised by the team’s jump, with the Thunder ending the regular season with a 57-25 record, best in the highly competitive Western Conference.

“When we drafted Josh in 2021 he was an essential aspect of our vision for the next iteration of the Thunder,” Presti wrote.

“Since then, our team has evolved rapidly and dynamically in ways we could never have anticipated.

“Therefore, as we began our internal discussions this off-season, it was determined that bringing Josh off the bench next season was our best option to maximise his many talents and deploy our team more efficiently over 48 minutes.”

Thunder general manager Sam Presti. Photo: NBA.com

Allegations Giddey had a brief relationship with a minor emerged in January, with the Aussie ultimately cleared by police and the NBA.

He had been silent on social media since that episode erupted, but Giddey ended a seven-month absence from Instagram to post an emotional message to the Thunder and his 491,000 followers on Sunday.

He singled out Thunder owner Clay Bennett, Presti and head coach Mark Daigneault, along with his teammates and the city.

“OKC … thank you for EVERYTHING,” Giddey wrote.

“To the city for embracing me from Day 1. To Mr Bennett, Sam and Mark for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of being an NBA player, I am forever grateful.

“My brothers, who I got to share the floor with for 3 years. The best group of guys I could’ve imagined. Stuck with me through the very high highs and the very low lows. You guys know the real me.

“I am forever in debt to Oklahoma and no words will do justice to how much the city and the organisation mean to me and my family.”

Giddey was benched for the first time in his career in the series against Dallas. (Photo by Sam Hodde / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

The Bulls officially announced Giddey’s signing early on Sunday (AEST) and copped some flak for posting a photo of him still wearing a Thunder jersey.

Teams typically photoshop players wearing their new uniforms in player announcements.

A franchise that won six championships during Jordan’s legendary run in the 1990s has only made the playoffs once in the past seven seasons and is expected to make a number of other trades before the 2024/25 campaign commences.

Giddey will have the opportunity to be far more involved in the offence and looms as the starting point guard for the rebuilding Bulls.

Alex Caruso (right) has left the Bulls and Nikola Vucevic could be next on the trading table. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

The Aussie was clearly a popular member of the Thunder, with a number expressing their sadness at his departure when responding to his Instagram post.

“Gonna miss you Joshua,” wrote back-up OKC big man Jaylin Williams.

“Not right now Josh,” wrote swing man Aaron Wiggins, along with seven bawling face emojis.

OKC superstars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren also used emojis to show their reactions.

Holmgren posted the fingers crossed and frowning face emojis, while Gilgeous-Alexander posted three crying face emojis.

Current Bulls Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, who are both on monster contracts, are rumoured to be on the trading table, while the Bulls have the 11th pick in the June 27 (AEST) NBA Draft.