He will speak with him at the appropriate time. But Sam Presti doesn't necessarily feel the urgency to have this conversation now with Josh Giddey.
When the time comes, the Thunder leader should focus the discussion around the role of the Australian rather than the contractual situation of the latter, who has one year of contract remaining.
“ The beauty of the situation our team is in is that this type of evolution needs to continue and players play with each other in this way. Players will be different as their teammates evolve into different playstyles. We find the best way to leverage their strengths “, assures in particular Sam Presti.
He could thus be tempted to change the workforce based on each person's performance during the past financial year. Particularly those of Josh Giddey, whose address has continued to be questioned this season.
“ He's 21, and 21-year-olds usually have up-and-down years. But at 21, he is stubborn. When I say stubborn, I mean it in an endearing way. He is confident. I think a lot of people would like to see him capitulate and give in, but he doesn't », Judges the leader.
Adapt to the next version of the team
His speech was verified in the recent statements of the player, aware of having to progress on his outside shot to be able to take a step forward. And guarantee his place in his team's major five, from which he was excluded during the series against the Mavs.
“ It is assumed with this question that the team will be frozen in time and that this will be the only version of the team, when the reality is that the team will change significantly. […] He won't have to adapt to this team because it no longer exists. This team will be different next year, and the year after that, and the year after that », assures Sam Presti.
Which means that his intention would be to inject more shooters into the five and into the squad in general? Unless internal progression is sufficient to make up for the shortcomings. Sam Presti thinks Josh Giddey could follow the example of players like Lu Dort who, over time, has established himself as a very respectable shooter (from 29% to 39% this season on 3-pointers).
“ I think Giddey will follow the same path as the other players. He happens to be a lot younger than those guys, but I think he'll be a good player for those reasons. But there is no question of rushing », aims the manager to conclude.
| Josh Giddey | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | OKAY | 54 | 32 | 41.9 | 26.3 | 70.9 | 1.8 | 6.0 | 7.8 | 6.4 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 12.5 |
| 2022-23 | OKAY | 76 | 31 | 48.2 | 32.5 | 73.1 | 2.0 | 5.9 | 7.9 | 6.2 | 1.9 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 16.6 |
| 2023-24 | OKAY | 80 | 25 | 47.5 | 33.7 | 80.6 | 1.4 | 5.0 | 6.4 | 4.8 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 12.3 |
| Total | 210 | 29 | 46.4 | 31.0 | 75.3 | 1.7 | 5.6 | 7.3 | 5.7 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 0.5 | 13.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
