MILWAUKEE – Josh Giddey is going to get his numbers this season.
Win or lose, the Bulls point guard is talented enough to fall out of bed, show up to the arena and put up 15-8-8 every night.
That’s not what the front office is only searching for, however.
They need special.
They have stat guys and potential. Heck, they’ve paid big-money extensions for that – see Zach LaVine and Patrick Williams. Yet, those leaps of faith have returned very little as far as team success so far, evident by the fact that the Bulls players and personnel can comfortably make vacation plans by mid-April.
No, they can’t miss on the Giddey evaluation, especially with the fourth-year player due an extension after the season.
So while he will undoubtedly stuff the stat sheet on a nightly basis, what needs to be put under a microscope is does Giddey translate to being a key piece on a playoff contender?
At his first stop with Oklahoma City that question was answered with a no.
Just take a look at the second-round playoff series against Dallas last May in which Giddey’s minutes dried up each game, eventually leading to him losing his starting job by Game 5.
The good news for the Bulls – and what they could very much end up banking on – is Giddey was admittedly humbled by the benching, and even more humbled when Oklahoma City traded him for Alex Caruso.
He used the Summer Olympics with Team Australia to get some of his mojo back, but also injured his ankle and was sidelined until a few weeks ago.
This is the comeback.
Giddey has played in all three preseason games – including being the only projected starter to get the nod against the Bucks on Monday – and has flashed. In averaging just under 23 minutes per game, he’s at 11.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and five assists, while shooting 40% from the field and 36.4% from beyond the three-point line, which would be a career-high for him (he averaged 33.7% last season).
Good preseason numbers, but big-money extension worthy?
Fortunately for the Bulls they have time on their side.
“I thought Josh did a nice job running the team, helping us get organized, moving the ball,” coach Billy Donovan said of the guard’s latest showing. “The first half I think we took 29 threes. We were doing a lot of good things as far as the shots we generated.
“I think with Josh since he’s been here, he’s gotten more comfortable and more verbal out there with the rest of the group.”
That’s why there wasn’t the slightest complaint about starting the Milwaukee game next to a bunch of reserves.
“The more games I can get under my belt before the regular season, the better,” Giddey said. “With that (ankle) injury, being out for a little bit, not playing games since the Olympics, these preseason games are a great way to get back in game shape. Anytime I can be out there I want to take that chance.”
The Bulls have two more preseason games left and Giddey might rest one of them. All eyes will be on Lonzo Ball and his expected return from knee surgery on Wednesday anyway, so maybe it comes against the Timberwolves.
But come next week when the Bulls tip-off the regular season in New Orleans, the attention falls back on Giddey. Specifically, can he not only run the team and hit outside shots when opposing teams all but dare him to, but can he live up to his promise of also being an improved defender?
A lot of questions to answer, and a lot of money on the line.