Blessed with a stack of draft picks, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded away one of their first round selections.
In 2024, the Oklahoma City Thunder decided to trade away the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Josh Giddey.
OKC made the move to acquire Alex Caruso , sending Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls.
And it has seemed that OKC made the right move. Top of the Western Conference, our assessment back in December was that the Thunder won the trade , with Caruso playing a valuable role, and Giddey taking time to settle in an inconsistent Chicago Bulls team.
Patrick Beverley praises Josh Giddey fit
Josh Giddey has enjoyed a spectacular upturn in form since the Chicago Bulls traded Zach LaVine away to the Sacramento Kings.
Giddey has been putting up impressive numbers, and he came just two steals away from posting a rare quadruple-double in the Bulls statement win over the Lakers.
He scored 26 points in a win over the Denver Nuggets, only outscored by Coby White with 37.
And the pairing of the two is now what has convinced former star Patrick Beverley that the Chicago Bulls won the trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He told his podcast, when asked if the Bulls won the trade, “Yeah,” before adding: “I think they was able to get another ball handler with size, put Coby White at his natural position which is a two, and Coby White is better off him being a creator off the second pick and role not the initial one.
“I think you don’t have to have Coby White wasting a lot of energy bringing up the ball. Josh Giddey off transition, whoever gets it can push it, I like it.”
When asked about the Bulls’ playoff prospects, he began with whether they could defeat the Atlanta Hawks or the Orlando Magic in the Play-In tournament.
“I think they can. They just beat Denver, without Jokic, beat them with Jokic. Just beat LA.”
Beyond that, he added: “I think they have to get in first, get in and Billy Donovan and his coaching staff I trust them.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander appreciates Alex Caruso
Meanwhile at the Oklahoma City Thunder, MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has expressed his delight with Alex Caruso’s recent contribution.
Speaking at his post-game press conference following the win at the Sacramento Kings, SGA commented: “He’s been great lately.”
“He’s been aggressive, he’s he’s been confident. He’s figuring out his niche and his role with this group.
“Obviously, we know he brings every night, but it’s a little bit different, getting thrown into a situation and having to play a different role and guard different positions, but he’s definitely figured it out.”
