What Team Does Josh Giddey Play For? The Chicago Bulls Transition Explained

What Team Does Josh Giddey Play For? The Chicago Bulls Transition Explained

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the NBA standings lately, you've probably noticed a 6-foot-7 Australian point guard making some serious noise in the Eastern Conference. But there’s still a bit of confusion floating around out there. People keep asking: what team does Josh Giddey play for right now?

He plays for the Chicago Bulls.

Honestly, it feels like just yesterday he was the young centerpiece of the "Thunder U" era down in Oklahoma City. But things move fast in this league. After a high-profile trade in the summer of 2024 that sent Alex Caruso to OKC, Giddey packed his bags for the Windy City. He isn't just a role player there, either. He's basically been handed the keys to the franchise's offense.

Why the Chicago Bulls Went All-In on Giddey

The trade was a bit of a shocker at the time. You don't often see a defensive stalwart like Caruso moved for a young playmaker who still had some question marks around his jump shot. But the Bulls' front office, led by Artūras Karnišovas, saw an opportunity to get younger and more dynamic.

They weren't just looking for a temporary fix.

In September 2025, the team doubled down on their investment. They signed Giddey to a massive four-year, $100 million contract extension. That is real money. It’s the kind of contract that says, "You are our guy." The deal pays him an average of $25 million per season through the 2028-29 campaign. By the time that contract wraps up, Giddey will only be 26 years old.

The 2025-26 Season: All-Star Numbers and a New Engine

This year has been, frankly, incredible for Giddey. Before a recent hiccup with an injury, he was putting up numbers that look like something straight out of a video game. We are talking about near triple-double averages every single night.

  • Points per game: 19.2
  • Rebounds per game: 8.9
  • Assists per game: 9.0

His shooting has also taken a massive leap. One of the biggest knocks on Giddey in OKC was that teams would just sag off him and dare him to shoot from deep. Well, he’s currently hitting about 38.6% of his threes. That changes everything. When a guy with his vision can actually keep defenses honest from the perimeter, the entire floor opens up for players like Coby White and Matas Buzelis.

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Basically, he’s become the "offensive engine" in Chicago.

The Hamstring Setback

It hasn't been all smooth sailing, though. On December 30, 2025, during a rough game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Giddey limped off the floor with a left hamstring strain. It was one of those moments where the whole United Center went quiet.

He’s missed several games since then. Head coach Billy Donovan recently mentioned that Giddey is finally starting to "ramp up" his activity as of mid-January 2026. The hope is that he’ll be back on the court before February hits. The Bulls have really felt his absence, too. They’ve gone 3-6 in games without him this season compared to 15-15 when he's healthy. It turns out that replacing 9 assists a night isn't exactly easy.

How He Fits With the Rest of the Bulls

The "New Look Bulls" are an interesting experiment. You've got Giddey as the primary creator, Coby White as a flamethrower scoring threat, and the rookie Matas Buzelis providing length and versatility.

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It’s a different vibe than the DeMar DeRozan era.

It’s faster. More chaotic. More fun to watch, probably. Giddey is already ranking as one of the best rebounding guards in the history of the franchise. Think about that for a second. In a city that watched Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, Giddey is carving out his own niche as a glass-cleaning playmaker.

What This Means for Your Fantasy Team or Fandom

If you are wondering what team does Josh Giddey play for because you're looking to trade for him in fantasy, or you just want to catch his next game, here is the deal:

  1. Check the Schedule: Since he's a Bull, you're looking for games at the United Center or Eastern Conference road trips.
  2. Monitor the Injury Report: He is currently day-to-day/out with that hamstring issue, but a return is imminent.
  3. Watch the Triple-Double Watch: He already has seven triple-doubles this season. He’s always a threat to fill the stat sheet.

The Bulls are currently a fringe play-in team in the East, and their success almost entirely hinges on whether Giddey can stay healthy and keep up this All-Star level of production.

He's no longer just "the kid from Australia." He’s the $100 million man in Chicago, and he’s carrying the weight of a legendary franchise on his shoulders. Whether you're a die-hard Bulls fan or just a casual observer, watching how he navigates this new chapter is going to be one of the more interesting storylines in the NBA over the next few seasons.

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Keep an eye on the "ramp up" news over the next week. Once he’s back, expect the Bulls' offense to look a whole lot more organized than it has lately.