Josh Giddey couldn’t “envision” his new function for Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.
Thunder GM Sam Presti mentioned in a press release launched by the workforce Friday that Giddey was not eager on a reserve function for the 2024-25 season and pushed for different locations.
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“As we laid out to Josh how he might lean into his strengths and finally optimise our present roster and expertise, it was onerous to for him to ascertain, and conversations turned to him inquiring about potential alternatives elsewhere,” Presti wrote, as per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski’s X account.
“Josh has All-Star potential, however accessing that within the present assemble of the Thunder wouldn’t be optimum for the collective. Primarily based on these discussions we determined to maneuver ahead and prioritise what was finest for the organisation,” the GM added.
It was formally introduced Friday that Oklahoma Metropolis traded Giddey to the Chicago Bulls in trade for guard Alex Caruso.
Giddey averaged 12.3 factors, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists with 47.5% taking pictures this season – down from 16.6 factors, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists the earlier season.
Within the second spherical in opposition to the Dallas Mavericks, head coach Mark Daigneault benched Giddey for the collection’ remaining two video games.
The purpose guard’s minutes plummeted within the playoffs, and he misplaced his beginning spot for the primary time.
‘That is no indictment on Josh’ | 06:21
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Giddey averaged 26.5 minutes per sport within the first spherical in opposition to the Pelicans, in comparison with simply 12.6 minutes in opposition to the Mavericks.
The 21-year-old was chosen because the No. 6 general choose within the 2021 NBA Draft.
“After we drafted Josh in 2021 he was a vital side of our imaginative and prescient for the following iteration of the Thunder,” Presti wrote.
“Since then, our workforce has advanced quickly and dynamically in methods we might by no means have anticipated. Subsequently, as we started our inside discussions this low season, it was decided that bringing Josh off the bench subsequent season was our greatest choice to maximise his many skills and deploy our workforce extra effectively over 48 minutes.”
In an emotional publish on Instagram, Giddey declared he was “eternally grateful” to the franchise for giving him an opportunity to stay out his basketball desires.
“OKC … thanks for EVERYTHING,” Giddey wrote.
“To town for embracing me from Day 1. To Mr (Clay) Bennett, Sam (Presti) and Mark (Daigneault) for giving me the chance to fulfil my dream of my (sic) being an NBA participant, I’m eternally grateful.
Woj explains shock Giddey commerce to Bulls | 00:59
“My brothers, who I obtained to share the ground with for 3 years. The very best group of men I might’ve imagined. Caught with me by the very excessive highs and the very low lows. You guys know the true me.
“I’m eternally in debt to Oklahoma and no phrases will do justice to how a lot town and the organisation imply to me and my household.”
Caruso, 30, spent the previous three seasons in Chicago and averaged 7.8 factors, 3.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals this season.
The guard was named to the All-Defensive First Group for 2022-23, the All-Defensive Second Group for 2023-24 and received the NBA Hustle Award for 2023-24.
Undrafted out of school, the Texas A&M grad signed a coaching camp cope with Oklahoma Metropolis in 2016.
Nonetheless, he was waived earlier than the season kicked off and signed with the Lakers in 2017 – the place he performed 4 seasons and received the championship in 2020.
This story initially appeared on the New York Put up and has been reposted with permission