Josh Giddey Is Quietly Becoming the Bulls’ Franchise Cornerstone
Before a hamstring injury sidelined him for 11 games, Josh Giddey was already trending toward franchise centerpiece status in Chicago. Now, after his return, there’s no more “trending” about it - Giddey is the guy.
In his first game back, he dropped 21 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and handed out 5 assists in just 26 minutes, helping lead the Bulls to a gritty five-point win over a tough Minnesota Timberwolves squad. If there were any questions about rust or rhythm, Giddey answered them immediately.
At just 23 years old and in his second season with the Bulls, Giddey is showing exactly why Chicago has hitched its future to him. The numbers back it up, but more importantly, the eye test does too. He’s running the show with poise, pace, and a growing offensive arsenal that’s turning heads around the league.
Offensive Engine with a Growing Arsenal
When the Bulls brought in Giddey, the expectation was clear: control the tempo, get teammates quality looks, and be the connective tissue for the offense. He did that well in year one - but this season, he's taken it up a notch.
According to Cleaning The Glass, Giddey boasts a 39.7% assist rate, which puts him in the 89th percentile among point guards. That’s elite territory.
He’s not just facilitating the offense - he is the offense. He’s the primary creator for a team that ranks top-five in pace, and he’s doing it while expanding his own scoring profile.
Giddey’s three-point shot is becoming a real weapon. He’s hitting 37.8% from deep on 4.8 attempts per game - a significant uptick in both volume and efficiency.
Now, there’s still work to be done. Giddey’s turnover rate is just north of 15%, and while that’s not uncommon for high-usage playmakers, it’s an area he’ll need to clean up as he continues to shoulder the offensive load. But the bigger question surrounding Giddey’s scoring has always been about his finishing at the rim - and that remains a work in progress.
Despite his size, Giddey still struggles to consistently convert around the basket. But give him credit - he’s found ways to score without being a dominant finisher.
His floater game is reliable in the short midrange, and he’s learning how to use his frame to draw contact and get to the free throw line. He’s earning fouls on 15.1% of his shot attempts, per Cleaning The Glass, and is averaging a career-high 5.4 free throw attempts per game - up by more than two from his previous best.
That speaks to a high-level understanding of the game. Giddey knows where his strengths are and leans into them.
He’s not the kind of player who forces what isn’t there - he manipulates defenses, plays with pace, and makes the right reads. He may not be a finished product, but his offensive ceiling is starting to look more defined - and it’s a good one.
Defensive Limitations, Rebounding Excellence
Let’s be real - Giddey’s not out here locking up opposing guards. But he’s also not a liability, and that’s a testament to how well he understands his role on that end of the floor.
Take his two steals against the Timberwolves. They weren’t highlight-reel pickpockets - more like being in the right place at the right time.
But here’s the thing: Giddey always seems to be in the right place. That’s not luck.
That’s instinct.
He’s averaged at least one steal per game in both of his seasons in Chicago, and while he may get beat off the dribble more often than you’d like, he rarely commits bad fouls and does a great job of contesting shots without overextending himself. He plays within his limitations and maximizes his strengths - and nowhere is that more evident than in his rebounding.
Simply put, Josh Giddey might be the best rebounding point guard in the NBA right now. He’s pulling down 8.8 boards per game, and his 20.6% defensive rebound rate ranks in the 100th percentile for point guards, according to Cleaning The Glass. That’s not just good - that’s elite.
And it matters. Giddey’s ability to end possessions with a rebound allows the Bulls to push the pace and keep their offensive rhythm.
In fact, the Bulls’ defense is 2.5 points per 100 possessions better when Giddey is on the floor. That’s a massive impact for a player not known for his defense.
Bottom Line: He’s That Guy
Josh Giddey isn’t the flashiest player in the league. He’s not going to dominate highlight reels or make headlines with poster dunks.
But what he does do is control the game, elevate his teammates, and compete on both ends of the floor. He’s the kind of player who makes winning plays - and makes his team better just by being out there.
At 23, he’s already the face of the Bulls’ franchise. And if this version of Giddey is just the beginning, Chicago might have found its next great star.
Grade: A