In silencing LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in Chicago on Friday, Australian NBA star Josh Giddey needed 12.6 seconds to show why he’s in line for a $235 million NBA contract.
Giddey, who was traded away from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Chicago Bulls before this season after being deemed surplus to requirements on a team contending for an NBA title, has enjoyed a superb recent run for the team made famous by Michael Jordan.
Giddey’s heroics against the Lakers was a three-part act. Firstly, he engineered a three-point basket.
Then, he stole the inbound pass from James and immediately found teammate Coby White who buried a three-pointer. Then, after Austin Reeves put the Lakers back into the lead, Giddey produced his magnum opus.
A half-court shot with time expiring sailed straight through the basket to cue wild scenes at the United Center.
His recent purple patch has coincided with impending free agency. Glimpses of genius like the one showed in the final stages against the Lakers will only drive his value upwards.
Josh Giddey celebrates his game winner against the Lakers.Credit: Getty Images
Respected ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst recently said Giddey – who endured a horror 12-months amid an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct involving an underage girl – was in line for a US$30 million (A$47m) a year deal. He is permitted to sign a five-year deal.
The Bulls have now won nine of the past 11 matches, with Giddey leading the charge.
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