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NBA Draft: No.6 pick Josh Giddey finds perfect home in OKC

josh lloyd
·2-min read
Josh Giddey, pictured here in action for the Boomers against Nigeria.
Josh Giddey in action for the Boomers against Nigeria. (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)

Australia has landed another NBA Draft Lottery player with the Adelaide 36ers’ Josh Giddey selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the sixth pick in Friday’s NBA Draft.

Giddey, who led the NBL in assists at the age of 18 this past season, has surprised many analysts by going all the way up at number six, but to me, it’s a great pick.

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I had Giddey at six on my draft board, and that’s exactly where he fell, so I, for one, was not surprised.

I guess I was a little surprised given all the noise about James Bouknight going to the Thunder, but this is a killer pick by the Thunder.

Giddey, while the shooting numbers in the NBL were rough, is not a lost cause with his shot, and he lays claim to being the draft’s best passer.

There is no pressure to develop quickly in OKC, and there is a clear rotational spot next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who handles the role as the team’s big usage guard.

GIddey could easily see himself in a starting role this season, and I don’t know if he could’ve asked for a better landing spot to develop in the timeframe that suits him best.

Josh Giddey, pictured here after he was taken No.6 overall in the NBA Draft.
Josh Giddey was taken No.6 overall in the NBA Draft. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

Some concerns over Josh Giddey's shooting

Giddey has some concerns.

He struggled with his three-point shooting and free-throw shooting last season.

He isn’t the most lithe or agile defender and lacks some burst. But, his vision and passing enable him to create pace offensively, and elite passing almost always translates into the NBA.

I have faith he can get to be a 35% three-point shooter in time, at the very least.

I also don’t think his defence is the train wreck that some do.

It’s an excellent selection by the Thunder and for Josh.

With Giddey going at pick six and LaMelo Ball winning the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award last season, the NBL continues to enhance its reputation for young players to hone their games and improve their NBA draft stock.

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