Ever since Bryson Graham took over as VP of Basketball Operations for the Chicago Bulls, there has been rampant speculation about the future of point guard Josh Giddey. The previous regime saw him as a foundation piece of the team’s future. Now he looks like an awkward fit for Graham’s vision. Remember, he uses the SLAP philosophy. Players must have size, length, athleticism, and physicality. Giddey checks the first three boxes, but not the last. He has never been known for his defense, which may pose issues.
It would explain why other NBA teams may sense he could be available via trade. According to Darren Wolfson, the Minnesota Timberwolves are one such team. They didn’t have a true facilitator in the lineup. Nobody outside of Julius Randle averaged more than four assists per game, and he isn’t a point guard. It is a big reason why their offense sputtered in the Western Semifinal against the San Antonio Spurs. Giddey would be an obvious upgrade for them in that department.
A Josh Giddey trade certainly looks appetizing.
To make it work, Minnesota would have to dump one of its big contracts. That would likely be Randle. Chicago has plenty of salary cap space to make it work. The other pieces would likely be a future 1st round pick that is unprotected in the 2030s, and guard Terrance Shannon. The former 1st round pick hasn’t gotten much playing time since being drafted in 2024, stuck behind Anthony Edwards, Ayo Dosunmu, and Donte DiVincenzo. However, the 25-year-old made the most of it, averaging 16.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and shot 40.8% from three-point range per 36 minutes.
He has untapped potential and feels ready for an opportunity to start. Chicago would get him with two years left on his rookie contract. More than enough time to determine if he can be a possible long-term piece of their rebuild. Coupled with a future 1st and the Bulls would be set up pretty well for the future as they restructure the roster around Matas Buzelis and whoever they drafted 4th overall this weekend.
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The trade still remains unlikely.
While Josh Giddey may not be a perfect fit for Graham’s type of team, that doesn’t mean he lacks value. Trading him would leave the team without a clear answer at point guard. Tre Jones is the only other one on the roster with notable starting experience. He isn’t bad, but he would be a considerable downgrade from what Giddey does. That means if Chicago makes this trade, they better be sure to have an alternative in mind, be it through the draft or free agency.
Smart teams don’t unload good players just because of an awkward fit. They must have a plan. Moving Giddey just because they can is a bad process. That doesn’t seem like something Graham would do. It would only happen once the Bulls find an alternative that new head coach Tiago Splitter would be satisfied with. Until then, the wise thing to do is expect Giddey to be in the starting lineup this fall when the 2026-2027 season tips off. It will be the Timberwolves who have to force the issue.
