{"id":605649,"date":"2026-02-16T03:26:29","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T03:26:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/605649\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T03:26:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T03:26:29","slug":"lebron-james-changed-his-mind-on-josh-giddey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/605649\/","title":{"rendered":"LeBron James changed his mind on Josh Giddey"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before the trade deadline, the Chicago Bulls<\/a> got rid of Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, and Nikola Vucevic.<\/p>\n

More News: Bulls HC Billy Donovan pessimistic on team outlook<\/a><\/p>\n

The Bulls hope to help build around a young core of Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey.<\/p>\n

Chicago invested in Giddey during the offseason, signing him to a four-year contract extension worth $100 million in September.<\/p>\n

Giddey, a 2021 first-round pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder, is averaging a team-high 18.6 points per game to go along with 8.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists. His 46.2 percent on field goals ranks No. 90 in the association.<\/p>\n

Before Sunday\u2019s 2026 NBA All-Star Game, Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was asked about Giddey\u2019s development.<\/p>\n

James gave an honest answer on Giddey, saying the guard struggled as a shooter in Oklahoma City. James changed his mind on the six-foot-seven, 216-pound athlete after seeing him become a much better scoring threat with the Bulls.<\/p>\n

\u201cHis knock was when he left OKC was his ability to shoot the ball,\u201d James said. \u201cNow he\u2019s shooting the ball. You can\u2019t just sag off of him, you can\u2019t just lay off of him and dare him to shoot.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s actually shooting the ball at a high clip. Chicago has a really good player in him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lebron on Josh Giddey:<\/p>\n

“His knock was when he left OKC was his ability to shoot the ball. Now he’s shooting the ball. You can’t just sag off of him, you can’t just lay off of him and dare him to shoot. He’s actually shooting the ball at a high clip. Chicago has a really good\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/dvyHbpyIlS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) February 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Chicago Bulls\u2019 Josh Giddey made LeBron James pay
\n\"NBA:NBA: Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers Mar 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts to a foul call against Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

More News: Bulls Executive VP appears to take shot at Coby White after Hornets trade<\/a><\/p>\n

Last March, James had to watch as Giddey knocked in<\/a> a half-court shot over him to give the Bulls a comeback win over the Lakers.<\/p>\n

For the 2023-24 season, the final campaign for Giddey with the Thunder, he averaged scoring 12.3 points per game on 25.2 minutes. His field goal percentage was higher in Oklahoma City, shooting 48.2 percent from the field in 2022-23 and 47.5 percent in 2023-2024.<\/p>\n

Still, Giddey is at least attempting more shots with the Bulls.<\/p>\n

After losing three key players for the offense via the trade deadline, Chicago will need Giddey to be even more of a focus as a scorer going forward.<\/p>\n

For More Chicago Sports:<\/p>\n

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig<\/a>,\u00a0and follow us\u00a0@ChiCitySports23<\/a>. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here!<\/a> Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks<\/p>\n

\"Matas<\/p>\n

Matas Buzelis found motivation through Derrick Rose
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