Thunder GM gives surprising reason why team traded star guard

The Australian showed promise in his debut campaign during the 2021-2022 season, averaging 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and career highs in assists (6.4) and minutes per game (31.5) across 54 contests. Giddey won four straight Rookie of the Month honors from November 2021 to February 2022 and was named second-team All-Rookie.

He upped his averages to career bests in scoring (16.6 points) and rebounding (7.9) per contest in 76 games in 2022-23 while finishing seventh in the league with four triple-doubles for the second straight year. Giddey also averaged 6.2 assists and shot a career-high 48.2 percent from the field.

Playing alongside both ascending All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 2022 second overall pick Chet Holmgren for the first time, the 21-year-old took a step back this past season, however.

While the team exceeded expectations (finishing atop the Western Conference at 57-25) and made the second round of the playoffs for the first time in eight years, Giddey averaged career lows in points (12.3), rebounds (6.4), assists (4.8) and minutes per contest (25.1) despite appearing in a career-high 80 games. 

He was particularly ineffective in the playoffs, posting 8.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 18.1 minutes per tilt over 10 games while coming off the bench twice, which was the first time he wasn't in the starting five in his NBA career.

Presti decided to break up Oklahoma City's young core and acquire 30-year-old Alex Caruso in the deal. The Texas A&M product brings championship experience that the team badly needed, plus stifling defense. 

Caruso was named first-team All-Defense for the 2022-23 campaign with the Bulls and second team in 2023-24 while earning the NBA Hustle Award this past season as well.