The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the 2024 NBA trade deadline as buyers for the first time in several years. The Thunder (35-16) will be in the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
More importantly, it’ll be the first playoff trip for OKC’s young core. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has blossomed into an MVP candidate. The emergence of Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren has created one of the best trios in the league. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault has turned into one of the best head coaches in the league.
Even though OKC is fighting for first place, the elephant in the room in its successful season has been Josh Giddey.
The 21-year-old has struggled through his worst season yet, averaging career lows in both traditional stats and advanced metrics. In several stretches of the season, he has sat out crunch time and played few minutes due to opposing defenses ignoring him.
It has made for an awkward situation. The Thunder have to overcome his deficiencies, and Giddey is put in a bad spot where his strengths as a ball-handler aren’t being utilized.
Off the court, Giddey has also dealt with investigations by California police and the NBA regarding allegations of being in an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl.
The Newport Beach Police closed their investigation due to a lack of evidence. The NBA is still conducting its own.
There are strong arguments to be made on both sides related to whether the Thunder should cut ties with Giddey and move him by the trade deadline. Let’s examine both sides and make a final decision on what they should do with the third-year guard.