Bulls need to see something special from Josh Giddey before he gets a new payday

MILWAUKEE – Bulls point guard Josh Giddey will get his numbers this season.

Win or lose, he's talented enough to roll out of bed, get into the arena and put up 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists every night.

However, that's not all the front office expects.

The Bulls need Giddey to be special. They have stats and potential. Heck, they paid a lot of money in overtime for this (see guard Zach LaVine and forward Patrick Williams). But those leaps of faith have had little impact on team success, as evidenced by the Bulls' exit from the play-in tournament the last two seasons.

No, they can't discount their evaluation of Giddey, especially since he's due for a contract extension after the season.

While he will undoubtedly fill the stat sheet on a nightly basis, the Bulls must decide whether he can be a key piece on a playoff contender.

In Giddey's first NBA stop with the Thunder, that question was answered “no.” In last season's second playoff series against the Mavericks, he played fewer minutes in each game and ultimately lost his starting spot in Game 5.

The good news for the Bulls — and what they might end up counting on — is that Giddey admitted he was humbled by the bench move and was even more humbled when the Thunder traded him for guard Alex Caruso.

He used the Summer Olympics with Team Australia to regain some of his performance, but also injured his ankle and was sidelined until a few weeks ago.

This is the comeback.

Giddey has played in all three of the Bulls' preseason games, including as the only projected starter to play against the Bucks on Monday, and has shown his potential. He averaged 11.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and five assists in just under 23 minutes. He is also shooting 36.4% from three-point range, which would be a career high for him.

These are good preseason numbers, but are they worth an expensive extension? Luckily for the Bulls, they have time on their side.

“I thought Josh did a good job leading the team, helping us get organized and moving the ball,” coach Billy Donovan said of Monday’s game. “I think we shot 29 three-pointers in the first half. As far as recording goes, we did a lot of good things.

“I think since Josh has been here he’s become more comfortable and more verbal with the rest of the group.”

For this reason, Giddey had no complaints about starting alongside a number of reserve players.

“The more games I can play before the regular season, the better,” Giddey said. “With this (ankle) injury, the short time off and missing games since the Olympics, these preseason games are a great opportunity to get back in shape. “Whenever I can be out there, I want to take advantage of that opportunity.”

The Bulls still have two preseason games left and could rest Giddey in one of them. All eyes will be on Lonzo Ball and his expected return from knee surgery on Wednesday anyway, so perhaps the rest will come against the Timberwolves.

But when the Bulls kick off the regular season next Wednesday against the Pelicans in New Orleans, attention will be back on Giddey. Specifically, will he be able to lead the team, make outside shots when opposing teams are outright challenging him, and deliver on his promise of being an improved defender?

These are a lot of questions that need to be answered when there is a lot of money at stake.