Barring the unforeseen, the primary sources of excitement for fans of the Oklahoma City Thunder right now are 1. the success of their young players and 2. the failure of the teams whose draft picks they own in the next NBA Draft. The latter has yet to play out long enough for anything to be determined. The former, however, is already happening, as the Thunder's premier rookie is already showing his talents at the NBA level.
Josh Giddey, the sixth overall selection, has been a very promising and fun newcomer so far. In 29.1 minutes per game heading into Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, he's averaging 11.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 31.6 percent from the three-point arc. While his success isn't a total surprise, it's the most pleasant development of the season for the Thunder.
Giddey has his name all over the league's rookie leaderboard. The Australia native ranks first in assists per game by over two full dimes, second in rebounds per game, seventh in points per game, and seventh in total field goals made. He is also tied for second in total steals and tied for ninth in total three-pointers made (with his teammate Jeremiah Robinson-Earl).
The concerns around the 6-foot-8 Giddey as a prospect were that he was neither physically dominant—not super strong or fast with a frame that's impressive but not outstanding—nor a terrific perimeter shooter. His masterful playmaking has made him stand out but his ability to score in the NBA was called into question. So far, so good though.
Giddey is fitting right in with the Thunder as a pick-and-roll threat and playmaker, as the 19-year-old leads the team in assists through seven games. He has a veteran-like sense of timing on his passes and drives, finding the space in the defense to get into the paint using his slick handles. The accuracy he touts while throwing a wide variety of passes makes him such a hard player to predict, as well as a thrill to watch.
Josh Giddey was also insane vs the Lakers. One of the best rookie games I've seen yet. 18 points, but what you'll see below are all 10 assists. Every kickout directly in shooting pocket. Two awesome one-handed whips. And note: went to him w/ game on the line w/ DHO in last clip. pic.twitter.com/Hztejl6roO
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) October 28, 2021
Having a guy like Giddey work with a smooth, dangerous scorer in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can unlock both young players. SGA is bound to become a multi-time All-Star with his unique and effective scoring talents. He has a knack for playmaking too, but he is best used as a score-first player on the wing. With Giddey making plays for him, Gilgeous-Alexander can get better looks and shed some defensive attention.
There are certainly concerns to address with Giddey's defense, which isn't that great so far. He also needs to get better at getting to the free throw line. He's only averaging 1.6 charity attempts per game and shooting 63.6 percent. His three-point percentage is also below average. Improving in these areas will benefit the Thunder a lot.
Despite these weaknesses, Giddey has proven that he can pick apart defenses while finding ways to score. While he continues to find his jump shot, he can continue attacking the paint and hitting close shots. He might take a while to get going from deep, possibly needing some revision to his shooting mechanics. But even if it takes all year, Giddey can still be a high-quality starter for the time being.
As he finds his footing more, he'll continue to build off his early success. With his impressive blend of talents, unimpeachable presence on TikTok, and smooth moves with the ladies, he has the potential to cement himself as a fan favorite for a long time. Should his shooting improve, Giddey can easily join Gilgeous-Alexander as a key face in the Thunder's rebuild.
The Thunder may not win a lot of games, but as long as Giddey continues to prove he belongs, their season will not be a lost cause. While fans will continue to hold their breath when it comes to the team's future, their rookie's impressive start is reminding them to breathe.
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