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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Clemente Almanza

OKC Thunder stick with Josh Giddey in Rookie Wire 2021 NBA draft redo

The 2021 NBA draft class turned a year old this summer, which means every player from it has a season under their belts.

The Rookie Wire’s Cody Taylor decided to redo the draft and have a 2021 NBA redraft a season later. For the Oklahoma City Thunder, they selected No. 6 overall in this class and ended up choosing Australian guard Josh Giddey.

In this exercise, that remains the same.

Giddey dazzled in one season in the National Basketball League and continued that display in the NBA. From his highlight-reel passing to his ability to get others involved, Giddey had a strong season with the Thunder before a hip injury shut him down in February.

He earned Rookie of the Month honors in the Western Conference four times and became the youngest player to record a triple-double. Giddey was also the second rookie to register three consecutive triple-doubles, and tied Luka Doncic for the most by a teenager (4).

Giddey lost his new running mate, Chet Holmgren, but looks to improve upon a strong rookie campaign this season. He still has some holes to fill in his game, but Giddey would likely go sixth once again in a redraft.”

This is a solid selection and if the Thunder were in the same situation, would likely re-pick Giddey. It seems both sides are quite pleased with the other. Giddey looks to improve his shooting over the next several seasons; that is really the only huge hole in his offensive game.

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