Josh Giddey headed to Chicago Bulls in shock NBA trade

Just days after revealing he was determined to stay with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Australian basketball star Josh Giddey has been traded to the Chicago Bulls.

Australian basketball star Josh Giddey is headed to the Chicago Bulls, according to reports.

Giddey, 21, will join the Bulls following a trade that sends two-time All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City Thunder, reports ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

It comes just days after Giddey said he was determined to stay with Oklahoma City and repay the franchise’s faith after the toughest season of his career saw him benched in the second round of the playoffs.

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

“It was a tough year. There is no really sugar coating it. It was covered pretty heavily by the media and with that side of things,” Giddey told Code Sports.

“Especially as a 21-year-old, you are on social media, you see everything. I tried my best to do the best I could to block it out.

“It’s not easy, but it was why I was so excited to get back here (to Melbourne), around friends and family where I am comfortable and get into the off season.”

Averaging 13.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists across his first three seasons in the NBA, Giddey has enjoyed calling Oklahoma home.

“Yeah, I love it there. The city, the fans have embraced me since day one, the organisation, (general manager) Sam Presti, (coach) Mark (Daigneault), everyone has been awesome for me. They stuck with me through some pretty tough days so I love the city, I love the team and I am excited to keep going with the guys we have.”

After a distracting season off the court, the star player also said he was determined to stay and repay the faith shown by the Thunder.

“Definitely and I love my guys. We started together, a lot of us started together when we weren’t winning games and we were right at the bottom of the table.

According to insiders, the Bulls have been chasing a replacement for the injured Lonzo Ball, despite optimism that the talented guard will be fit to return for the 2024-25 NBA season, and Giddey’s dynamic playmaking abilities could fill that void for the team.

Now back home in Melbourne, Giddey has turned his focus to national team commitments, stepping into a leadership role as the Boomers dig in to Olympic preperations at an upcoming camp at the end of June followed by friendy matches against China at John Cain Arena.

Originally published as Josh Giddey headed to Chicago Bulls in shock NBA trade