ESPN Analyst Says Recent Josh Giddey Hot Streak Increases Trade Value

The Oklahoma City Thunder have seen Josh Giddey turn his season around in March with arguably the best stretch of his career. ESPN's Brian Windhorst tabs Giddey's trade stock as trending up.

Mar 29, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) reacts to an / Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder have seen Josh Giddey turn around his season in the month of March. Arguably the best stretch of his career, Giddey is averaging 15.9 points, 5.2 assists, 6.8 rebounds, 1.1 stocks and just 1.9 turnovers per game.

During this recent run Giddey has learned to counter being matched up with a center, a coverage that has given him fits all season. In this span, the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft has shot 57 percent from the floor, 41 percent from 3-point land and 69 percent at the line across 17 games.

Ahead of the Thunder's Nationally Televised game against the Boston Celtics on ESPN, Analyst Brian Windhorst mentioned this segment of games could increase his trade value.

“This (recent stretch) is big for him,” Windhorst said on ESPN’s pregame show. “He’s due a contract extension at the end of the season. If it’s not in Oklahoma City, if he continues to play well at the end of this year, he can be a prime piece of trade bait as the Thunder look to upgrade their roster, especially with a big man this summer.”

While Oklahoma City will have to make a judgment on Giddey this summer, this positive stretch of basketball shows what Giddey can still accomplish in Bricktown. However, the contract discussion is one that has to be handled carefully as the Thunder will soon be starring down the barrel of extending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren to mega deals while needing to secure complimentary pieces like Isaiah Joe on long-term pacts.

The book is not yet written on Giddey's career in Oklahoma City, and if you had to pick a side today it seems likely Giddey would be back in Bricktown next fall.

Up next, the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Indiana Pacers in a game the Thunder will likely be without their top two scorers. This is another chance for Giddey to take on a larger role on the floor.

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