Should the Utah Jazz go for Josh Giddey?

[QPR]

I thought the fit with SGA was terrible early on but it's looked a lot better of late. I think he's such a high IQ guy (and importantly, minimal ego) that he's going to be able to fit with most guys to some capacity. It's all about how reliable/sustainable his outside shot becomes.

[hippesthippo]

With OKC only having one nationally televised game this year most people haven't seen much of Giddey. As someone who watches every Thunder game I can say he has made a marked improvement over what was a solid rookie year and has a bright future. Here are his highlights from last night. I especially enjoyed the Dirk fadeaway near the end. One thing Josh is doing that he didn't do last year is he is taking shorter guards to the rim and just shooting over them.

Watch on YouTube

Definitely not a player I'd be giving away. He looks faster. Maybe he's just seeing things quicker. Same difference.

[Clav]

I think for the Jazz, they would be thrilled to have Giddey, but would need to give up already too much for Ainge's taste. Presti, also, isn't willing to trade a 20 y/o player with high upside to a division rival. So, I voted yes. Jazz should inquire and try to make this happen, but I don't see it as a likely outcome in reality.


Side note, Giddey places passes with deft touch, his teammates often have perfect lanes and angles to score after receiving the ball. Plus his shot looks a LOT better from Year 1. I have high hopes for him to score 15+, +7Rebs, and +7 assists for years to come. Getting his FT rate up will really help with his impact because a lot of intangibles are there

[Vampirate]

Poor athleticism yet great vision and feel for the game, and movescwell in traffic.

Poor wingspan but one of the best rebounders for his position who racks up blocks and steals.

His shot is clearly improving and he's working with the best in the business. The fact people need to try and qualify his great percentages since Dec 1 is a very good sign.

Forest/trees.

he's at 1% steal and 1.3% block, respectively. that's among the lowest block % for player 6'8" or taller. and among the lowest steal % among guards and wings. steals and blocks /=/ defense but since you brought it up, those are the facts.

his shot is maybe improving? it's hard to tell. he's attempted just over 100 threes and 50 free throws this season. and the point is that even with the unsustainable shooting stretch he hasn't been able to be all that efficient- this is due to his limitations.

Giddey just can't get to the line at a good rate, that's his weakness.

He's a 70% FT shooter last year so a 10% jump isn't that much of a stretch.

As for the shooting, he's 6"8, so basically along with his guard skills it'll be easier for him to get his shot off ovewrall.

Due to his poor free throw rate, he's still a below average scorer, however scoring 15.7 points on 14.1 shots is a massive improvement compared to 12.5 points on 12.4 shots.

Also I took a look at his month by month starting from last season and there was slow gradual improvement.

If Giddey can get to the line at a much better rate it would make his value as a scorer soar. However he's yet to do it.

Here's another point you might be missing.

You can brush off Giddey having a hot month from the three point line, or shooting 90% from the FT line or having a FG% of 50 if he isn't doing the other 2. However if a player is doing all of those in the same month than it might indicate it's more than just a fluke.

[rocketsfan100]

Josh Giddy is making a lot of people look foolish.

[LEGGOman]

His finishing ability has improved leaps and bounds over the last year. I think he’s going to be a phenomenal 3rd/4th option with great intangibles and solid rebounding.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[mediocrityrules]

Yeah, since December his ability to finish in close has jumped markedly.

He might be making that 'next step' right now.

[baldur]

Should any team go for Josh giddey?

Giddey is someone any team would go for. Why Utah?

[rocketsfan100]

I’ve come to the conclusion most of the people here bashing Giddy haven’t watched him play at all or just seen a few token games. The kid is the real deal

I repeat what I said earlier

[Jimmy Recard]

If that turnaround one legged Dirk fadeaway he splashed the other night is a sign of things to come, he’s gonna be a problem. 28-9-9 today in a road win, and he only just turned 20, right? Some of the posts in this thread man

To answer the OP’s question, given where Utah is atm I don’t think it would make sense to go all in for a guy like Giddey outside of their fetish for white players. Also, the fit issues between SGA and Giddey are way overblown. They work fine together.

[Dez]

There are seriously people saying Giddey can't improve areas of his game at 20 years old? Please stop posting, that's just stupid.

Whether he does or not remains to be seen but to have that opinion at 20 years old is idiotic.

[slick_watts]

i dunno about anyone else in this thread, but i don't think josh giddey 'can't improve areas of his game', only that he has physical limitations most players do not have that make it more difficult for him and imo this is the reason that his efficiency during his december 1 stretch doesn't align with his elite %'s.

[MavsDirk41]

Why would Okc trade him. He and SGA are their building blocks. They are almost .500 at the mid point of the season. Its been a decent year for this team. They could challenge for a playoff spot next year.

[TheShow2021]

Should any team go for Josh giddey?

Giddey is someone any team would go for. Why Utah?

White guys are more marketable/ valuable in Utah.

Demographically it's probably the whitest fanbase in the NBA.

Fans like to live vicariously through their favorite players, and it's more likely they'll be slightly biased to their own skin color.

[Pipp33]

I have found it amusing reading this thread and seeing what those that are already writing him off are saying about him...

I wish I could be bothered to go back through threads and see early posts in Jokic's career and even Luka's.

NOW, IM NOT SAYING GIDDEY WILL BE ANYWHERE NEAR THEIR LEVEL, but, their lack of athleticism, first step and speed were all supposed to be the reason why they would never be elite.

Giddey has a very good BBall IQ, passes the ball very well, rebounds well and has made obvious improvements in his overall game. He's gotten stronger, is taking impact better on his drives, and getting to the bucket more now. He's 20 and still hasn't played 100 NBA games.

[zionland]

The kid is seriously becoming a star right before our very eyes. 28, 9 and 9 today in the win.

[Inigo Montoya]

Should any team go for Josh giddey?

Giddey is someone any team would go for. Why Utah?

Because Conley is 200 years old, Sexton is not a floor general, and we need a true PG.

[zimpy27]

The same people that didn't see Luka improving at 20 are the same people that don't see Giddey improving at 20.

You see a slower guy with guard skills and think players can only get to the basket with speed.

Getting to the basket and being a 3-level scorer doesn't require speed, it can be achieved in other ways. You should not underestimate strong legs and the ability of guys like old LeBron and Luka to move strong to the basket.

Giddey isn't moving around players he's driving to the basket with guys on his hip and he's unfazed.
Giddey has strong legs, he will surprise people with a blossoming scoring arsenal in next couple seasons . I think he's an All NBA level talent.

[Vox Populi]

Should any team go for Josh giddey?

Giddey is someone any team would go for. Why Utah?

Because Conley is 200 years old, Sexton is not a floor general, and we need a true PG.

Exactly! I also feel that if the Jazz are keeping Lauri Markkanen, there is no point in going for a full rebuild and waiting on picks from upcoming drafts to come good as starters. The Jazz need someone who can take the reins as PG now.

This season should be written off. Next season Lauri will be 26, Kessler will be 22, Vanderbilt will be 24 and Agbaji will be 23. These guys make a nice group for the Jazz to build with. Giddey will be 21 next season, yet plays with a maturity beyond his age. When I look at other potential PG targets around the league, he fits best with this group and they fit him very well too.

I feel the Jazz should definitely try for Giddey whether it is now or in the summer. Sexton and a first round pick or two sounds right. Then start looking at more SGs and SFs who would improve the team further, ideally with players who are between 20-26 years.

If the Jazz can get Giddey, other players to target for SG and SF are Terance Mann, Patrick Williams, Grayson Allen and Saddiq Bey.

[Ryoga Hibiki]

i dunno about anyone else in this thread, but i don't think josh giddey 'can't improve areas of his game', only that he has physical limitations most players do not have that make it more difficult for him and imo this is the reason that his efficiency during his december 1 stretch doesn't align with his elite %'s.

otoh most players don't have that level of skills and feel, at that size