Bulls players face the most pressure entering 2024-25 NBA season | News, scores, highlights, stats & rumors

It’s been hard to fault Josh Giddey’s numbers since the Oklahoma City Thunder drafted him with the sixth overall pick in 2021. Not only does he lead the draft class in assists (1,200), he also ranks in the top six in points (2,920, sixth) and rebounds (1,534, fourth).

Still, he proved difficult to keep on the court during the playoffs due to his limitations as a shooter and defender. Too difficult even for the Thunder to keep him, though the idea to leave Sooner State came during a conversation with general manager Sam Presti.

“I told him, ‘Look, coming off the bench at this point in my career, it’s not something I’m trying to do and take on a backup role,'” Giddey told reporters. “He understood. And we worked together through the whole process, and he put me in a great place.”

Giddey clearly sees himself as an NBA starter, so it’s fair to assume he’ll want NBA starter money when he signs his next contract, which should come sometime between now and next summer. By making Giddey the sole component of their return from the Caruso trade, they’ve proven they’re committed to Giddey’s development and should give him every opportunity to prove himself.

If he doesn’t seize the opportunity that presents itself, it will hang a dark cloud over his adventure in the limited free market.