Bulls’ $27 Million Starter Makes Honest Confession Following Billy Donovan’s Decision
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan watches the game against the Brooklyn Nets.
Billy Donovan and the Chicago Bulls fell short against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who secured a 144-126 victory to maintain their perfect record.
Bulls guard Josh Giddey had a rough game, scoring just 5 points and committing 4 fouls in 15 minutes.
Giddey’s absence in the closing minutes raised questions about potential concerns. The 21-year-old, acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Alex Caruso, hasn’t played in the final minutes for four consecutive games. Giddey is expected to be a restricted free agent in 2025.
“I don’t even blame it on the fouls,” Giddey admitted on November 15. “That was part of it, but everything else was bad too. I did foul, which was a reason I didn’t play long. But if I were Billy, I wouldn’t have played me either. No minutes tonight. I was bad on both sides and just need to forget this one and move on.”
“It’s frustrating to be on the defensive end and perform like that,” Giddey added, per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “In the preseason, I said I wanted to improve defensively and thought I was making progress. A game like this sets back that confidence.”
According to NBA.com matchup data, Giddey allowed Cavs players to shoot 90% when he was the primary defender.
Giddey went 2-for-9 from the field, including 1-for-5 from three, without any turnovers. Still, his defensive issues are notable and a reason Oklahoma City traded him.
Giddey is finishing the final year of his $27.2 million rookie contract. The Bulls will have matching rights when he becomes a restricted free agent in 2025.
Josh Giddey Acknowledged Defensive Issues After Bulls Trade
At his introductory press conference post-trade, Giddey owned up to his defensive weaknesses.
He referred to his performance against the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs.
The Mavericks exploited Giddey offensively, leaving him open due to his career 31.6% three-point shooting, and targeted him on defense with both quick and strong players.
“It was probably a blessing in disguise. It taught me what to work on and improve,” Giddey explained during his June press conference. “Shooting is important, but defense is crucial. This offseason, I realized that to excel at the highest level, you need to compete defensively. You have to guard effectively.
“That’s the side of the game I want to focus on. Offense will come naturally. But improving defensively is key to being ready for playoff battles.”
Donovan admitted Giddey’s foul issues factored into the decision to bench him.
However, Donovan downplayed any significant concern regarding Giddey’s absence at the end of games in light of his contract status.
Performance Insights
In 13 games for the 2024-25 season, Giddey has shot 40% from three but holds the worst defensive on-off differential among Bulls players, per Cleaning The Glass.
Billy Donovan’s Worrying Update on Bulls PG Lonzo Ball
Complicating matters for Donovan is the continued absence of Lonzo Ball, who would alleviate some defensive and ball-handling duties.
With Giddey on the court, the Bulls have a net rating of minus-11.2 across 785 possessions (12th percentile). When Ball played – though only for 22 possessions – the Bulls had a plus-72.7 net rating, compared to minus-13.7 without him.
Ball has been out for the last nine games due to a wrist injury, with no set return date.
“Lonzo Ball pushed himself in New York, but it was ‘definitely a struggle,’” reported K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network on November 15. The initial target was Sunday, but Donovan indicated at least another week is needed. Ball experiences pain catching passes.
“Doctors estimate the recovery could take two to six weeks, depending on how the wrist heals. Ball can dribble and shoot, but catching passes is painful, and the Bulls haven’t tested him taking hits on defense.”