There are two players averaging at least 20.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game this season: three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and the Chicago Bulls’ 23-year-old floor general, Josh Giddey. Lower the threshold to 8.0 rebounds and assists, and only Luka Doncic joins the pair. It’s a rarified group, to say the least.
Nonetheless, Giddey’s impact doesn’t stop there. He’s shooting 47.4 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from beyond the arc. His 58.1 true shooting percentage is a career high—and even more impressive considering that less than a third of his twos are assisted, while 82.4 percent of his threes are.
Furthermore, Giddey has made strides defensively, averaging 1.1 steals per game while also holding his own on the less glamorous end. He ranks third on the Bulls in defensive plus/minus, second in deflections, and first in loose balls recovered. Chicago is also 6.1 points per 100 possessions better defensively with the 6-foot-8 guard on the floor.
Josh Giddey’s rise puts him on an All-Star path
It’s been a breakout campaign for Giddey, who’s gone from prized lottery pick to outcast to potential All-Star—at least according to ESPN’s Zach Kram. In his article, NBA All-Stars: Early Roster Predictions for East, West, Kram highlighted Giddey as an “on the bubble” All-Star.
Later, Kram wrote that he would include Giddey among the 12 All-Stars if he had to pick today. The ESPN analyst highlighted the Aussie’s near triple-double numbers as the main reason for his selection, while also noting why he isn’t a lock: “…they haven't sustained this level of production before or because they must answer one key question between now and February," in reference to Giddey and the other "bubble" players.
This marks the second vote of confidence Giddey has received from ESPN, specifically regarding his All-Star case. Back in early November, ESPN’s Kevin Pelton listed the 23-year-old among his 10 “way-too-early first-time All-Stars.”
It’s both rewarding and fun to see Giddey receive the national recognition he deserves. After a semi-tense standoff with the Bulls this offseason over his contract, Chicago signed him to a four-year, $100 million deal just weeks before the season began. The decision drew its share of critics, but it’s paying off—and then some—just months into the 2025-26 campaign.
As for Giddey, after being cast off by Oklahoma City and then watching the Thunder win a championship without him, it’s surely gratifying to receive some praise in this new chapter. While Giddey has always maintained a team-first mentality—both in his play and post-game comments—it’s a boon for Chicago to have All-Star talent they can rely on as they navigate an uncertain future.