Josh Giddey problem the Bulls should be worried about despite remarkable stretch

When the Chicago Bulls traded Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey—without securing any draft picks, which remains an inexcusable oversight—it was essentially a one-year trial with a high-upside point guard.

At just 22 years old, Giddey brings a unique skill set to the position. Standing at 6-foot-8, he’s an exceptional rebounder with a high basketball IQ and strong playmaking instincts.

However, Giddey arrived in Chicago with notable weaknesses—issues that likely contributed to the Thunder’s willingness to move on from him. Over three seasons in Oklahoma City, he struggled as a shooter, hitting just 31.0 percent from three-point range, and has consistently been a liability on defense.

When the Thunder selected him sixth overall in the 2021 draft, they were in the early stages of a rebuild. But as they transitioned into a legitimate Western Conference contender last season, Giddey’s shooting woes and defensive struggles led to a diminished role. He played just 75 total minutes in a six-game conference semifinal loss to the Dallas Mavericks. A few months later, he found himself in Chicago.

Since joining the Bulls, Giddey appears to have taken a significant step forward. Since Jan. 20, he’s averaging 18.1 points per game while shooting an impressive 49.8 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from beyond the arc on 4.6 attempts per game.

Despite these career-best numbers, Chicago has reason to be cautious.