Dream Josh Giddey improvement would make NBA critics eat their words

Josh Giddey showed significant improvement in his three-point shooting last season, but to elevate his game to All-Star level, he needs to better utilize his size and become a more efficient finisher at the rim. The Chicago Bulls have committed to him as their franchise point guard, signing the 22-year-old to a four-year, $100 million contract—a compromise between his desired $30 million per season and the team's initial offer of $20 million annually.

After being acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Alex Caruso, Giddey thrived in head coach Billy Donovan’s fast-paced system, averaging career highs of 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Most notably, he improved his three-point shooting, hitting 37.8% on a career-high 4.0 attempts per game, while also posting personal bests in true shooting percentage (57.0) and effective field-goal percentage (53.1).

However, Giddey’s efficiency near the rim remains an area for improvement. He converted just 48.3% of his shots in the paint and was below 50% from 5-to-9 feet. Despite increasing his free-throw attempts from 1.6 to 3.2 per game, his free-throw percentage dropped to 78.1%. His primary weapon near the basket is a push-floater, but he lacks comfort with other finishing moves.

Given his 6-foot-8 frame, which provides a size advantage over most point guards, Giddey has the potential to become a much more dominant scorer at the rim. As emphasized by analysts, consistent finishing ability is crucial for a lead ballhandler on a competitive team. Despite this weakness, Giddey’s post-All-Star break performance—averaging 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists—demonstrates his upward trajectory and potential for further growth.