Bulls RFA Josh Giddey Says He's Asked NBA To Let Him Play in Australia in Offseason
Restricted free agent guard Josh Giddey said on the Ball Magnets podcast that he's asked the NBA to play semi-pro basketball at home in Australia in the offseason (h/t HoopsHype).
"I’ve tried to ask the NBA if I can come home and play in NBL1 or other leagues during the offseason," Giddey said (3:00 in video). "It keeps me in game shape. There’s no better way to stay sharp than actually playing basketball."
That story followed Giddey's discussion about him rolling up to a game in the Franklin & District Basketball Association on Monday, May 5. Giddey suited up for the Vales, but his team actually fell 110-84 to Bennys Boys.
It's clear Giddey just loves to hoop, though, as evidenced by his re-telling of the game.
“It—and the feeling—came right back to me once I got out there. Obviously, I wasn’t playing too hard, but just that enjoyment of getting to play with friends in a rec or domestic game, that joy came right back from when I used to do it as a kid. I’ve always loved that kind of basketball. Anytime I can play, I try to. It’s just fun, even if it’s not serious. Obviously, playing in the NBA now, coming home and jumping into a Monday night comp in Frankston isn’t exactly at the top of my priority list, but it brought back that childhood excitement—rocking up five minutes before tipoff, throwing on your shoes, and just hooping."
Giddey said that his agent, Daniel Moldovan, was "furious" with him and "was not happy" for playing in the game, although he made clear the two are very close and talk every day.
NBL1 is the top semipro league in Australia, and it's run by the NBL, which is the top pro league in Australia and New Zealand.
The guess is Giddey probably won't be allowed to play in the league for fear of injury, though one can't help but admire his love of the game.
In the meantime, Giddey needs to find a home for next season and beyond. The leader in the clubhouse is his 2024-25 team, the Chicago Bulls, who acquired him via trade last year from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Alex Caruso.
There's great optimism the Bulls will get a deal done and re-sign him, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.
Giddey just finished a fantastic end of the 2024-25 season with the Chicago Bulls, averaging 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds and 9.3 assists following the All-Star break, per StatMuse. He also had five triple-doubles.
