The Josh Giddey Experiment: Why The Bulls Must Move On

Nov 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) controls the ball against the New York Knicks during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Source: Lastwordonsports.com - Benjamin Yu, EditorThe Chicago Bulls are floundering. That’s why it’s time to think about the end of the Josh Giddey experiment.New VP of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham ushered in a new era of Bulls basketball in June: the Caleb Wilson era. From here on out, everything that relates to roster construction must be about him. It must be about maximizing his skill set, getting him touches, and making it easy on him. It’s not that Giddey doesn’t check those boxes; he does. A very willing passer and good driver, Giddey can find Wilson in space and throw the most accurate of alley-oops. It’s that he isn’t who you would want in a lineup with Wilson.The Josh Giddey Experiment Does Not Fit Bulls’ PhilosophyFurthermore, he is exactly the opposite of Graham’s “SLAP” philosophy, which was outlined at the Bulls’ training camp. The Bulls’ “SLAP” philosophy stands for size, length, athleticism, and physicality. Outside of being a bigger point guard at six-foot-seven, Giddey isn’t hyper athletic or super physical as a player. Plus, he only has a neutral wingspan. The Bulls desperately need shot creation from their guards, which is part of the reason Norman Powell was brought in. Although Giddey can be a creator for himself, he operates in the same lanes as Wilson, as well as Matas Buzelis, for that matter.He doesn’t have a step-back, midrange game, or reliable three-point shot. Though he has a solid handle, he lacks the dribble moves or footwork to get his jump shot off in tight coverage. There is some semblance of floor balance when the shots are going in, but it’s super clunky. At $25 million a year, if the fit isn’t perfect with Wilson, you must look elsewhere.Nov 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesPotential Trade PartnersEvery game the Bulls play with this funky fit, the harder it makes it on Wilson. From there, history shows how lottery picks can form bad habits they never shed; just look at essentially every Timberwolves draft pick from 2013 to 2016. It’s do or die, but why wait until June to rip off a band-aid when you can now? Or in February at the deadline?The Bulls should start looking for elite shot creation around the league now. Two Giddey trades make sense for a clean swap: Giddey for Jalen Green or Tyler Herro. Both work in the trade machine, and both teams might actually be open to the deal. The Phoenix Suns are more likely to bite on that than the Milwaukee Bucks, as Herro is on an expiring contract and Giddey is not. However, Milwaukee should be open to any deal, as they are trying to build any semblance of a team without much draft capital or cap space.Why A Phoenix Deal Makes SenseThe Phoenix deal actually makes sense for both sides: the Bulls get a young, explosive (albeit streaky) scorer in Green. Having that shot creation on the perimeter opens up major space for Wilson and Buzelis. That spacing is something that Powell and Buddy Hield, who the Bulls traded for from the Charlotte Hornets, have been unable to provide for a 1-9 Bulls team.  As for Phoenix, they’re most likely looking to end their own point guard experiment, the kind where they don’t possess one. Green wouldn’t be a savior; his defense is arguably worse than Giddey’s, and he’s never shot more than 35% on threes in his career.On paper, it isn’t great, but on the court, his shot diet, explosiveness, and creation on the perimeter spread things out. He would also change how the Bulls are guarded. Right now, teams are sagging off Giddey and shrinking the floor. Green offers a different kind of spacing because of his ability to attack off the dribble.Why A Milwaukee Deal Makes SenseAs cute as it is that Herro grew up in Wisconsin and is now the “hometown kid”, he most likely won’t be long for his home state. Milwaukee has completely pivoted to a new era with Giannis Antetokounmpo leaving the franchise, and the Bucks’ focus is on their young rookies. Herro most certainly will be used as trade bait come February’s deadline, if not the Bucks letting his contract simply expire this summer. For a team that lacks draft capital, Milwaukee should be looking to garner some tangible asset before the guard hits unrestricted free agency.Why Not Stand Pat?Chicago doesn’t need to have everything about its roster long-term figured out right now. They are 10 games into the second year of an official rebuild, with at least another season to go before they start thinking about competing. With that said, let’s say they make a trade for either Green or Herro. That doesn’t mean Green or Herro needs to be a part of your roster in three years either. It’s about trying something new and possibly making life on the court easier for a young stud.Again, that’s all it should be about.Featured Image: Brad Penner-Imagn Images More NBA News:Why It’s Not Time To Panic About The Indiana Pacers’ SeasonTidjane Salaun Is Rewarding Hornets’ Patience In A Big WayRaptors 3-and-D: Alijah Martin & The Norman Powell Blueprint