When the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls in June 2024, it was more than a routine roster move—it was a signal about how the league values shooting and versatility. The deal sent the 21-year-old Australian guard to Chicago in exchange for defensive specialist Alex Caruso, a straight player swap that caught many by surprise.

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Height: 6′ 7″ ·
Weight: 216 lbs ·
Birthdate: 10 October 2002 (age 23) ·
Draft: 2021, 1st round, 6th overall (OKC) ·
2023-24 Salary: $6.3 million (estimated) ·
Position: Point Guard / Shooting Guard / Power Forward / Small Forward

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Giddey was traded to the Chicago Bulls for Alex Caruso on June 21, 2024 (NBA.com / Chicago Bulls).
  • He is 6’7″ and plays multiple guard/forward positions (Spotrac).
  • His 2023-24 salary was approximately $6.59 million (Spotrac).
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Giddey will start or come off the bench for the Bulls in 2024-25.
  • Exact details of his off-court personality (the “good guy” question is subjective).
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Giddey is expected to be ready for the 2024-25 season after ankle surgery.
  • He will be a restricted free agent in 2025, with a new contract decision looming.

Ten facts about Josh Giddey, one pattern: he is a tall, versatile guard whose value depends heavily on his shooting development and playmaking fit.

Key facts at a glance:

Label Value
Full Name Joshua James Giddey
Date of Birth October 10, 2002
Height 6’7″ (2.01 m)
Weight 216 lbs (98 kg)
Position Point Guard / Shooting Guard / Power Forward / Small Forward
NBA Team Chicago Bulls
Draft 2021, 1st round, 6th overall (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Salary (2023-24) ~$6.3 million
Career 3-Point % 31.0% (as of end 2023-24)
Nickname SLOB Wizard

The implication: the table shows a player with elite physical tools but a shooting number that defines his career ceiling.

Why did OKC get rid of Josh Giddey?

OKC’s roster fit issues with Giddey

  • Giddey’s lack of outside shooting (31.0% career 3-point percentage) created spacing problems for the Thunder’s offense (Spotrac).
  • Oklahoma City needed more two-way wing defense, which Alex Caruso provides (NBA.com News / AP).
  • The trade was a straight player swap with no draft picks involved (Fox Sports Australia).
The trade-off

Oklahoma City traded a 21-year-old playmaker for a 30-year-old defensive stopper, betting that Caruso’s shooting and perimeter defense fit their timeline better than Giddey’s ball-handling.

Shooting deficiency in the Thunder lineup

  • OKC’s young core (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren) needed floor spacers, not another ball-dominant guard who struggles from deep.
  • Giddey’s 3-point percentage dropped to 29.4% in the 2023 playoffs, making him a target for defenses in crunch time.

The pattern: a team with championship aspirations cannot afford a non-shooter in its primary lineup. The Bulls, on the other hand, are rebuilding and can afford to develop Giddey’s shot.

Why is Josh Giddey called SLOB wizard?

What is a SLOB in basketball?

SLOB stands for Sideline Out of Bounds play. These are set plays that start from the sideline after a dead ball, and they are a staple of NBA offensive sets. Giddey’s ability to deliver pinpoint passes on SLOB plays earned him the nickname.

Giddey’s inbounding accuracy and creativity

  • John Hollinger of The Athletic is widely credited with popularizing the “SLOB wizard” tag after analyzing Giddey’s high assist rate on SLOB sets (Fox Sports Australia).
  • Giddey himself asked fans to stop using the nickname, saying “let’s not make that stick” (Fox Sports Australia).
The paradox

A nickname that highlights Giddey’s best skill—passing—also reminds fans of his biggest weakness: he can’t shoot well enough to justify a primary handling role.

The implication: the SLOB wizard label is both a compliment and a limitation; it underscores his elite vision but also his reliance on set plays rather than half-court creation.

How much money does Josh Giddey make?

Josh Giddey’s current salary

  • Giddey’s 2023-24 salary was $6,587,400, and his 2024-25 salary is $9,890,000 (Spotrac).
  • He is playing on his rookie-scale contract, which runs through the 2024-25 season.

Josh Giddey’s contract details

  • Giddey will become a restricted free agent in 2025, meaning the Bulls can match any offer sheet.
  • His salary cap hit for the 2024-25 season is $9.89 million, which is a bargain for a starter-level guard if he improves his shooting.

The catch: If Giddey doesn’t develop a consistent three-point shot, his next contract will likely be below the max, but still in the tens of millions. The Bulls have a year to evaluate his fit.

What is happening with Josh Giddey?

Recent trade to Chicago Bulls

  • The trade was finalized on June 21, 2024, with the Bulls sending Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City (NBA.com / Chicago Bulls).
  • It was a straight player swap with no draft picks included (NBA.com News / AP).

Injury update (ankle arthroscopy)

  • Giddey underwent successful right ankle arthroscopy in July 2024 and is expected to be ready for the start of the 2024-25 season (NBA.com / Chicago Bulls).
  • The Bulls have not announced whether he will be the starting point guard or come off the bench.
What to watch

Giddey’s role in Chicago will depend on his shooting improvement. If he can hit 35%+ from three, he becomes a long-term starter; if not, he may be a sixth man or trade chip.

Why is Josh Giddey so famous?

His early career and draft status

  • Giddey was drafted 6th overall in 2021 by the Oklahoma City Thunder after playing for the Adelaide 36ers in the NBL (NBA.com News / AP).
  • He was the first Australian drafted in the top 10 since Ben Simmons in 2016.

Rookie season and triple-double potential

  • Giddey became the fourth-youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double (at 19 years, 84 days).
  • He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2022 (Spotrac).
  • His combination of height (6’7″) and passing vision makes him a unique playmaker, drawing comparisons to a young Luka Dončić or a taller Shaun Livingston.

Why this matters: Giddey’s fame comes from being a rare archetype—a big guard who can rebound and distribute but whose shooting is a work in progress. The trade to Chicago only increases his visibility as he enters a new market.

Timeline

  • : Josh Giddey born in Australia.
  • : Plays for Adelaide 36ers in NBL.
  • : Drafted 6th overall by Oklahoma City Thunder.
  • : NBA debut for OKC.
  • : Named to All-Rookie First Team.
  • : Traded to Chicago Bulls for Alex Caruso.
  • : Undergoes successful right ankle arthroscopy.

The pattern: Giddey’s career timeline shows a rapid rise followed by a trade that tests his adaptability.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Giddey was traded to Chicago Bulls for Alex Caruso on June 21, 2024 (NBA.com).
  • Giddey is 6’7″ and plays multiple guard/forward positions (Spotrac).
  • He is called “SLOB wizard” for his inbounding skills (Fox Sports Australia).

What’s unclear

  • Whether Giddey will start or come off the bench for the Bulls in 2024-25.
  • Exact off-court reputation (the “good guy” question is subjective).

“Thunder trade Josh Giddey to Bulls for Alex Caruso.”

— Adrian Wojnarowski (NBA.com News / AP)

Giddey underwent successful right ankle arthroscopy and is expected to be ready for the season.

— NBA.com / Chicago Bulls

For the Chicago Bulls, the decision to acquire Giddey is a calculated risk: develop a 21-year-old with elite passing but questionable shooting, or trade him before his restricted free agency. If Giddey improves his 3-point percentage to even 35%, the Bulls will have a steal. If not, they’ll have to decide: extend him for a mid-sized contract, or let him walk. For Australian basketball fans, the trade is a chance to see one of their own in a bigger market—but the pressure is on Giddey to prove he’s more than a niche wizard.

Additional sources

espn.com, nba.com, en.wikipedia.org, sports.yahoo.com, sports.yahoo.com, salaryswish.com, yardbarker.com

For a deeper look at how his unique skill set translates to Chicago’s system, check out this detailed analysis of his fit with the Bulls.

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Josh Giddey called SLOB wizard?

Because of his exceptional passing on sideline out-of-bounds (SLOB) plays. The nickname was popularized by analyst John Hollinger.

How tall is Josh Giddey?

6’7″ (2.01 m).

What position does Josh Giddey play?

Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Power Forward, and Small Forward.

What team does Josh Giddey play for?

Chicago Bulls (as of June 2024).

How much does Josh Giddey earn?

His 2024-25 salary is $9,890,000, and he will be a restricted free agent in 2025.

Did Josh Giddey go to college?

No, he played professionally for the Adelaide 36ers in the Australian NBL before the NBA draft.

Is Josh Giddey a good defender?

He is a below-average defender, which was part of the reason OKC traded him—they needed better wing defense.

Who did the Thunder get for Josh Giddey?

Alex Caruso, a defensive guard known for his perimeter lock-down and shooting.

For more on Australian athletes in the spotlight, see Tim David: Biography, Wife, Allegations & IPL 2027 Suspension and LeBron James Retirement: Sciatica, Net Worth & Future.