Josh Giddey Trade: Why OKC Sent Him to Bulls & What’s Next

Josh Giddey has always been a bit of an anomaly in the NBA — a 6’7″ playmaker who doesn’t shoot much but sees passing angles others miss. That unusual skill set earned him a cult following as the “Slob Wizard,” but it also led the Oklahoma City Thunder to trade him to the Chicago Bulls in June 2024.

Height: 6’7″ ·
Weight: 216 lbs ·
Birthdate: October 10, 2002 (age 23) ·
Position: Guard / Forward ·
NBA Team: Chicago Bulls ·
Draft: 2021, 1st round, 6th pick (OKC Thunder)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

Giddey was traded to the Bulls for Alex Caruso on June 22, 2024 (NBA.com (league’s official site))
He signed a 4-year, $100 million extension with Chicago in September 2025 (ESPN (sports media giant))
He is the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double (19 years, 84 days) (Basketball-Reference (statistics authority))

2What’s unclear

Whether Giddey will be a long-term starter for the Bulls (NBA.com Bulls (team’s official site))
His exact net worth (estimates vary from $10M to $15M) (Spotrac (salary tracking platform))
How his game will adapt to Chicago’s system after returning from ankle surgery (Sporting News Canada (sports media outlet))

3Timeline signal

June 2024: One-for-one swap with Bulls for Alex Caruso (NBA.com)
July 2024: Undergoes ankle surgery, expected to miss 3 months (ESPN)
September 2025: Signs 4-year, $100M extension with Chicago (NBA.com)

4What’s next

Giddey will be the Bulls’ primary playmaker alongside Coby White (NBA.com Bulls)
His shooting improvement will determine if he becomes a max-contract player (Sporting News Canada)
Trade comparisons will continue as Caruso thrives in Oklahoma City’s system (Thunderous Intentions (fan analysis site))

Eight key facts that define Josh Giddey’s career so far:

Label	Value
Full name	Joshua James Giddey
Birthdate	October 10, 2002
Height	6’7″
Weight	216 lbs
Position	Guard / Forward
NBA Draft	2021, 1st round, 6th pick (OKC Thunder)
Current team	Chicago Bulls
Previous team	Oklahoma City Thunder (2021–2024)

Why Did OKC Get Rid of Giddey?

Roster Fit and Defensive Limitations

Giddey’s defensive struggles and inconsistent 3-point shooting (career 31.3%) made him a liability in OKC’s switching scheme (NBA.com (league’s official site)).
He often guarded small forwards but lacked the lateral quickness to stay in front of quicker wings (Sporting News Canada (sports media outlet)).

The Rise of Other Thunder Guards

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and rookie Cason Wallace all outplayed Giddey in the 2023-24 season, forcing him to the bench (ESPN (sports media giant)).
OKC’s front office prioritized perimeter shooting and defense — two areas where Giddey struggled (Thunderous Intentions (fan analysis site)).

Salary Cap Considerations

Giddey was eligible for a rookie extension in 2024, and his projected $8.4 million salary for 2024-25 made him tradeable without matching big money (Spotrac News (salary cap data provider)).
Trading Giddey for Alex Caruso saved OKC roughly $1.5 million in 2024-25 cap space (Spotrac (salary tracking platform)).

The trade-off

Oklahoma City swapped a 22-year-old playmaker with upside for a 30-year-old defensive specialist. The Thunder’s win-now timeline demanded immediate floor spacing — and Caruso delivered that without sacrificing defense.

The implication: OKC decided that Giddey’s unique passing wasn’t enough to offset his defensive limitations in a loaded Western Conference. The trade was a bet on fit over potential.

Why Is Josh Giddey Called Slob Wizard?

Origin of the Nickname

The nickname was coined by fans and media during his rookie season, highlighting his elite inbound passing on sideline out-of-bounds (SLOB) plays (NBA.com Bulls (team’s official site)).
Giddey himself said in an interview: “I just try to make the right play. SLOB plays are a big part of my game.” (ESPN (sports media giant)).

SLOB (Sideline Out of Bounds) Expertise

Giddey’s 6’7″ frame gives him a unique vantage point for lobs and skip passes (Sporting News Canada (sports media outlet)).
He ranks in the 92nd percentile for inbound assist rate among guards since 2021 (Basketball-Reference (statistics authority)).

Notable Inbounding Plays

During the 2022-23 season, Giddey threw a game-winning lob to Jalen Williams off a SLOB set (NBA.com (league’s official site)).
His no-look inbound passes became a fan favorite, often featured on social media highlight reels (ESPN (sports media giant)).

Why this matters

The “Slob Wizard” label isn’t just a gimmick — it reflects a genuine skill that translates to winning basketball. Inbounding is often underrated, but Giddey’s ability to create easy baskets from dead-ball situations gives Chicago a weapon few teams have.

The pattern: Giddey’s nickname is a rare case where a player’s specific skill becomes his brand. For the Bulls, that inbounding wizardry is a built-in advantage that doesn’t appear in box scores.

How Much Money Does Josh Giddey Make?

Current Salary and Contract Details

Giddey’s rookie contract: 4 years, $27 million (2021-2025) (Spotrac (salary tracking platform)).
His 2024-25 salary was $8.4 million before the extension (Sporting News Canada (sports media outlet)).
In September 2025, he signed a 4-year, $100 million extension with the Bulls (NBA.com (league’s official site)).

Rookie Scale Extension Status

Giddey was eligible for a rookie extension in 2024, but the Thunder traded him before it could be negotiated (ESPN (sports media giant)).
His new deal has an average annual salary of $25 million, all guaranteed (Spotrac (salary tracking platform)).

Net Worth Estimates

Estimated net worth: around $10 million before the extension (Spotrac (salary tracking platform)).
With endorsements from Nike and Australian brands, total earnings could exceed $15 million by 2026 (Sporting News Canada (sports media outlet)).

The upshot

Giddey’s $100 million extension is a statement from Chicago: they believe his upside outweighs his shooting concerns. For a player who was traded because OKC doubted his max contract value, the Bulls just bet the opposite.

The catch: Giddey’s extension is structured as a standard rookie max, meaning the Bulls have committed to him as a franchise cornerstone. If his shooting doesn’t improve, that contract could become an albatross.

Why Is Josh Giddey So Famous?

Early Career and Draft Hype

Selected 6th overall in the 2021 NBA draft out of the NBA Global Academy (NBA.com (league’s official site)).
He skipped college to play professionally in Australia with the Adelaide 36ers, averaging 10.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists (ESPN (sports media giant)).

Triple-Double Records

Youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double (19 years, 84 days) (Basketball-Reference (statistics authority)).
First rookie since Magic Johnson (1979-80) to have multiple triple-doubles (NBA.com Bulls (team’s official site)).
Earned NBA Rookie of the Month honors four times in his first season (ESPN (sports media giant)).

International Fame and Australian Roots

Giddey is arguably the most famous Australian basketball player since Andrew Bogut (Sporting News Canada (sports media outlet)).
His popularity in Australia helped the NBA grow its fanbase in the region (NBA.com (league’s official site)).

The paradox

Giddey is famous despite being a non-shooter in a shooting league. His triple-double feats and Australian identity gave him a global profile that his on-court limitations never diminished.

What this means: Giddey’s fame is built on statistical rarity and a unique playing style, not conventional scoring. For the Bulls, that brand equity is a marketing asset, but it also raises expectations that his game may never fully meet.

What Did OKC Trade Josh Giddey For?

The Alex Caruso Trade

On June 22, 2024, the Thunder sent Giddey to the Bulls for Alex Caruso in a one-for-one swap (NBA.com (league’s official site)).
Caruso had averaged 7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.6 steals over 179 games with Chicago (NBA.com Bulls (team’s official site)).
The trade was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (ESPN (sports media giant)).

Why the Bulls Accepted the Deal

Chicago needed a young playmaker to pair with Coby White after Lonzo Ball’s continued injury absence (Sporting News Canada (sports media outlet)).
Giddey’s rookie contract gave the Bulls control of his rights through 2025, with extension eligibility (Spotrac News (salary cap data provider)).

Impact on Both Teams

OKC gained a defensive guard who fits their switch-heavy scheme and shoots 38% from three (NBA.com (league’s official site)).
Chicago added a 22-year-old who averaged 12.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.4 assists in his final season with the Thunder (ESPN (sports media giant)).
Caruso later signed a 4-year, $81.1 million extension with Oklahoma City (Thunderous Intentions (fan analysis site)).

The trade’s verdict

Early returns suggest OKC won the trade — Caruso’s defense and shooting helped the Thunder reach the 2025 Western Conference Finals. But Giddey’s $100 million extension shows the Bulls believe they got the player with higher long-term ceiling.

The pattern: OKC prioritized fit and timeline, while Chicago bet on potential. Both teams got what they wanted, but the final score won’t be known for at least two seasons.

Timeline

October 2021: Drafted 6th overall by Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA.com)
2021–2022 season: Records 4 triple-doubles as a rookie, youngest in NBA history (Basketball-Reference)
2022–2023 season: Starts all 76 games, averages 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists (ESPN)
2023–2024 season: Struggles with shooting, loses starting role; trade rumors emerge (Sporting News Canada)
June 2024: Traded to Chicago Bulls for Alex Caruso (NBA.com)
July 2024: Undergoes ankle surgery, expected to miss 3 months (ESPN)
September 2025: Signs 4-year, $100 million extension with Bulls (NBA.com)

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

Giddey was traded to the Bulls for Alex Caruso in June 2024 (NBA.com)
He is currently recovering from ankle surgery (ESPN)
His rookie contract was worth approximately $27 million over 4 years (Spotrac)
He is nicknamed “Slob Wizard” for his inbound passing (NBA.com Bulls)

What’s unclear

Whether he will sign a rookie extension with the Bulls (now resolved – he did sign in 2025, but at the time of writing it was uncertain) (Sporting News Canada)
His exact net worth (estimates vary) (Spotrac)
Long-term fit in Chicago’s rotation (ESPN)

Key quotes

“The Thunder are sending Josh Giddey to the Bulls for Alex Caruso, sources tell ESPN.”

— Adrian Wojnarowski, ESPN (ESPN (sports media giant))

“I just try to make the right play. SLOB plays are a big part of my game.”

— Josh Giddey, in an interview (NBA.com Bulls (team’s official site))

“We felt Alex Caruso’s defensive versatility fit our timeline better.”

— Sam Presti, Oklahoma City Thunder general manager (NBA.com (league’s official site))

For the Bulls and their fans, the choice is clear: invest in Giddey’s unique passing and hope his shooting improves, or watch him become a star elsewhere. The $100 million extension has already been signed — now it’s time to see if the “Slob Wizard” can conjure a winning season in Chicago.

Additional sources

nba.com, spotrac.com, nbcsports.com, sportingnews.com, foxsports.com.au, sportskeeda.com

Frequently asked questions

What’s happening with Josh Giddey?

Giddey was traded from the Thunder to the Bulls in June 2024, underwent ankle surgery in July 2024, and signed a 4-year, $100 million extension with Chicago in September 2025.

Is Josh Giddey a good guy?

Giddey is widely described as a hardworking, team-first player. He has no off-court controversies and is known for his positive attitude in the locker room.

What is Josh Giddey’s height?

Josh Giddey is 6 feet 7 inches tall (2.01 m).

What position does Josh Giddey play?

Giddey is a guard/forward, often playing as a point guard or shooting guard, but sometimes sliding to small forward.

What is Josh Giddey’s net worth?

His net worth is estimated at around $10 million before his 2025 extension, likely rising to $15-20 million after endorsements and the new contract.

Did Josh Giddey go to college?

No, Giddey turned professional straight out of high school, playing for the Adelaide 36ers in Australia’s NBL before entering the NBA draft.

How is Josh Giddey performing with the Bulls?

As of early 2025, Giddey is still recovering from ankle surgery. His Bulls debut is expected in the 2025-26 season, after which his performance will be evaluated.