Josh Giddey Poised for Breakout Season with Chicago Bulls

Josh Giddey is expected to remain with the Chicago Bulls for the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season, where he is poised to establish himself as a key player. Following a challenging stint in his previous season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Giddey’s performance improved significantly after joining the Bulls, making him one of the most intriguing figures in fantasy basketball.

Giddey’s transition to Chicago began slowly, with the first two-thirds of the 2024-25 season not meeting expectations. His struggles were somewhat anticipated, considering his declining numbers in Oklahoma City. In his first two seasons, Giddey averaged 14.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, translating to approximately 34.1 DraftKings points and 33.7 FanDuel points. However, during his third year, those figures dropped to 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, resulting in averages of 27.6 and 26.5 on the respective platforms.

Despite these setbacks, there were noticeable signs of improvement once he donned the Bulls jersey. Giddey achieved career highs in rebounds (8.1) and assists (7.2) while averaging 14.6 points per game. His three-point shooting also saw a commendable increase, finishing the season at 37.8%, a significant improvement that challenges his earlier reputation as a poor shooter. His ability to deliver triple-doubles became evident, as he recorded seven during the season, indicating his potential for elite performance in favorable matchups.

Looking Ahead: Potential for Growth

As Giddey enters the 2025-26 season at just 23 years old, questions arise about his ability to continue his upward trajectory. He will find himself in a familiar situation, with minimal changes to the Bulls’ roster. The offseason additions included defensive specialist Isaac Okoro and rookie Noa Essengue, neither of whom is expected to significantly alter Giddey’s role or usage on the court.

The consistency in teammates suggests that Giddey could replicate or even surpass his previous season’s statistics. Notably, his performance improved in the final 20 games of last season, where he averaged 20.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 7.8 assists. For comparison, Scottie Pippen had an outstanding 1993-94 season averaging 22.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 5.6 assists, a benchmark for Giddey, albeit with the recognition that Pippen is a Hall of Famer.

Giddey’s current situation, characterized by a new contract, evolving statistics, and a stable roster, positions him as a strong candidate for selection in the second or third rounds of fantasy basketball drafts. His continued development and the opportunities presented by the Bulls’ lineup make him a player to watch in the coming season.

As the excitement builds for the 2025 NBA season, Giddey stands at a crossroads. With the potential to enhance his game further, he invites fantasy sports enthusiasts to consider his value seriously.

With the Chicago Bulls’ aspirations high, the focus will remain on Giddey as he looks to solidify his status as a star in the league while contributing to his team’s success.