On the move: Australian star Josh Giddey traded by the Thunder

Australian guard Josh Giddey has a new NBA home, the Oklahoma City Thunder playmaker having been traded to the Chicago Bulls for two-time All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso, ESPN reported on Friday morning.

Giddey, who has been a regular starter for most of his young NBA career since being taken with the sixth pick of the 2021 draft, fell out of the Thunder’s main rotation as the 2023-24 season progressed, including through the play-offs when the Thunder reached the second round in a deep western conference.

On the move: Josh Giddey will be traded from the Thunder to the Chicago Bulls.

ESPN senior NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Friday morning that the Bulls have been pursuing a replacement for injured point guard Lonzo Ball.

Giddey will be given the freedom with the rebuilding Bulls to have the ball in hand, run the offence and use his vision and passing skills.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti has wanted Caruso to help strengthen the Thunder defensively in the back court.

Giddey, the Australian Boomers point guard, enjoyed a career-high 80 games for the Thunder this season, but his scoring average slipped from 16.6 points per game last season to 12.3 points this season.

The Thunder had the ball more in the hands of fellow point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was the runner-up in the Most Valuable Player count, while centre Chet Holmgren is expected to have a greater influence at the offensive end.

Giddey has 11 career triple-doubles, fourth most all time by a player aged 21 or younger. Only “Magic” Johnson, Luka Doncic and fellow Australian Ben Simmons had more, according to ESPN.

He was investigated this season by the NBA and Newport Beach police for allegedly having had improper relations with an underage girl when he was 19, after photos on social media came to light in late November, but he did not face charges, and he was cleared.

The son of Melbourne Tigers great Warrick, Giddey can soon negotiate a rookie-scale extension as a member of the 2021 draft class.

More to come

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