Most watched Sport videos
Josh Giddey has been warned that his NBA future may be away from Oklahoma City Thuder amid a season where the Australian has regressed in every metric.
Giddey, 21, has seen his role a the Thunder significantly altered due to the rise of guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and forward Jalen Williams.
The pair have been given licence to carry the ball, reducing Giddey to operate in a more off-the-ball role this season.
As a result, Australian great Andrew Gaze has claimed Giddey looks like he is just ‘getting a good cardio workout’ whenever he hits the court, with his game-time reduced from an average of 31.2 minutes per game to 24.9.
Gaze thinks, with the current hierarchy in the locker room and the salary cap in mind, Giddey could be traded by the Thunder.
Josh Giddey has been warned that his future may lie away from Oklahoma
The 21-year-old has seen his role at the Thunder significantly reduced this season
‘I think it’s a realistic prospect, not just for the playing reasons, but also the economics of the situation,’ Gaze said via News Corp.
‘Chet is going to be a max player, you’ve got Shai and Jalen Williams who can shoot.
‘The Thunder is trying to surround this core with shooters, and while Josh is getting better at that, it becomes harder when he isn’t getting the ball as much.
‘He is playing more off the ball – and with his skillset – it probably isn’t the best situation for him right now.
‘He can’t get the same statistical return when you don’t have the same opportunities. I watched one of his games and he was just getting a good cardio workout. He wasn’t really involved too much, so it’s going to be an interesting period that he goes through.’
Australian basketball legend Andrew Gaze says Giddey may be traded by the Thunder
The NBA trade ᴅᴇᴀᴅline falls on February 8, with teams having until 3pm that day to finalise paperwork.
‘I don’t think it will be the sort of thing where he wakes up one day and is told he will be traded,’ NBA insider Jake Fischer said.
‘I think they’ll make sure it is done in collaboration, not just saying pack your bags, and you are off to wherever.’
