The obvious fix Thunder must make after Game 2 loss to Mavericks

This season, Josh Giddey has averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 80 games played. He’s dropped down in all three of those categories from last year, putting him more on par with the stats from his rookie season despite having played more games.

Giddey’s shooting percentage from behind the arc and from the floor have remained close to the level they were last season, but putting those numbers with the drops in the other categories reveals a clear picture: Giddey hasn’t improved this season.

Now, those are what the numbers say. If you asked Thunder coach Mark Daigneault about Giddey, he likely wouldn’t have much negative to say. In fact, the coach has praised the player quite a few times this season.

“He’s got some swagger right now,” Mark Daigneault said of Giddey’s success around the New Year. “It’s a good example of these guys, there’s gonna be a lot of ups and downs for every single player. Nobody’s gonna have just a linear progression.”

Not having a linear progression is one way to say that he hasn’t improved.

That’s not to say that he won’t continue to grow and be an asset for the Thunder — or another team if it chooses to part ways now that he’s nearing the end of his contract — but the issue of how he fits long-term isn’t what Oklahoma City should be concerned about. It needs to worry about how he fares now.

So, how does he fare?

The results aren’t great. In two games played against the Mavericks so far, Giddey has totaled a -27 plus-minus. In the first game, the Thunder handled business pretty easily and blew out Dallas, but the guard posted a -7. When he was on the court, his team struggled.

In the second game, the Thunder was handed its first loss of the postseason. It couldn’t quite get over the hump and seemingly met its match, which isn’t something it found often. And Giddey in that performance? A -20.

When Oklahoma City was victorious, it was brought down by Giddey. When it wasn’t, he didn’t help his case, so now the question remains whether or not he should get his chance.

Granted, Giddey hasn’t received significant minutes in either of the two games. But while that might signal that he’s not entirely to blame for the Game 2 loss, it also shows that the Thunder wouldn’t be missing much with him off the court. It’s certainly something to consider.

Defense will still be the biggest thing for both teams to consider as the series rages on, but now — more than ever — finding ways to improve, even if they’re minuscule, is paramount.

It’s Oklahoma City’s move, now.