Sam Presti on Josh Giddey’s departure:
“We want to thank Josh for his many contributions to our team and know he will capitalize on the opportunities before him in Chicago.
When we drafted Josh in 2021 he was an essential aspect of our vision for the next iteration of the Thunder. 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 maximize his many talents and deploy our team more efficiently over 48 minutes.
As we laid out to Josh how he could lean into his strengths and ultimately optimize our current roster and talent, it was hard to for him to envision, and conversations turned to him inquiring about potential opportunities elsewhere. As always was 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 prioritize what was best for the organization.”
by blacksoxing
8 Comments
So lemme get this straight.
After the team supported Giddey through the personal stuff all last year, we ask him to come off the bench (Which after the Dallas series said he deserved to be benched) where he could actually run the offense and use his skill set instead of being the gap filler after a piss poor year shooting the ball, and guy immediately wanted to leave? Good riddance.
It was the best decision for both parties. Getting someone like Alex freaking Caruso is more like a bonus. It just didn’t work out.
He needed more time on a rebuilding team with a different role. He’s 21 years old. He’s trying to get the most for him personally and his family, I don’t think we should criticize that.
We get it done quickly. Wish him the best.
I post this not to pile on Josh, but this season was a visual showcase of an all-NBA player in SGA all but taking the ball out of his hands, with talents of Chet and Jalen demanding opportunities. All three progressed.
When the games got close, Josh was on the bench while Joe/Wiggins took his role. We all saw it.
When teams needed to double Josh would be left on an island.
Josh was not guarding the best, and the Mavs would frequently neglect to guard Josh.
This isn’t a termination of Josh Giddey as I don’t think we wanted him to be “fired”, but it was best for him to go find his own team, and it’s clear the Bulls are going to give hi that opportunity as they’re in fire sale mode.
My final note: many of us have been Josh Giddey. We’ve been young with career jobs that have not worked out at all. We may have had the potential, but not the execution. Hopefully we grew and succeeded elsewhere.
I wish him the best. I also though will not act as if he could have benefitted the Thunder going forward; it’s not the case else we’d made the change much earlier. Square peg/round hole. Doesn’t mean it was a bad draft pick but that again, SGA grew in ways nobody could have predicted and it’s obvious it’s best if he is the ball dominate guard w/another guard who can work off him and play defense (Cason?)
Makes sense to me, wasn’t seeing a lot of the ball next to Shai and JDub and they could use someone with more off the ball skills and then play him more minutes with guys that are limited offensively but can shoot in Wallace, Joe and JWill. However for Giddey it’s a contract year and after a down year last season he needs to get to an environment where he can be a starter and get more on the ball reps to get a good next contract
Goodbye Josh
Weird to see such amicable business being done in the NBA, definitely speaks volumes of how Presti handles his business.
This makes me think even more there’s another move coming! If the plan was for Josh to move to the bench it’s likely they were thinking of making a move for someone to replace him in the starting lineup. Obviously that could be Wiggins/Caruso/Joe – but the fact they were already planning this makes me think they were planning a move for a starter. Love it!
Honestly was kinda bummed when josh was traded, because I do think in the long run he will develop into a quality player but it was good for him. Change of scenery will help him build what he wants as well as remove some distractions from this year.
Even I’m this trade I really appreciate how professional our front office (and josh) were about this. There was never really any drama throughout the season. Josh himself even stood by coaches decision to not play him much against dallas even if that was his real opinion or not. Hope it works for him but I’m excited to build on our defense amd 3 point shooting with Caruso.