Unlocking His Potential: Why Josh Giddey Belongs at Power Forward

Unlocking His Potential: Why Josh Giddey Belongs at Power Forward

Josh Giddey, the Chicago Bulls’ starting point guard, has long been touted as a potential future star in the NBA. Yet, it’s becoming increasingly clear that his role as a point guard may not be a sustainable fit. In fact, the 6-foot-8 Aussie’s limitations as a lead guard might suggest it’s time for a position switch — to power forward. While this may sound unconventional, Giddey’s skill set may actually be better suited to a role that doesn’t require the quick decision-making and perimeter shooting of a point guard.

Since entering the NBA in 2021, Giddey has been compared to the likes of Magic Johnson, mostly due to his impressive size and rebounding ability for a guard. But the truth is, the resemblance ends there. Giddey has struggled with his shooting, especially off the dribble. His jump shot is slow and unrefined, making it difficult for him to score efficiently in the modern NBA. A career 31.4% shooter from three-point range, Giddey’s lack of shooting range and ability to create his own shot puts him at a significant disadvantage in today’s fast-paced game.

His offensive game is further hindered by his inability to consistently make plays for himself or others in critical moments. Giddey is good at grabbing rebounds and initiating fast breaks, but he struggles to keep up with smaller, more athletic players in the open court. His lack of speed and athleticism also becomes apparent when attacking the basket, as he often lacks the necessary explosiveness to finish strong or draw fouls. His career free-throw rate, a meager 14%, further illustrates his difficulty in getting to the line and capitalizing on opportunities near the rim.

Defensively, Giddey faces similar challenges. Against quicker guards, such as Darius Garland, Giddey has been repeatedly exposed on the perimeter. He simply doesn’t have the lateral quickness or agility to defend effectively in one-on-one situations. This has left him vulnerable against elite point guards, who can easily blow by him and score at will. Giddey’s defensive struggles further highlight the mismatch of his skill set at the point guard position.

But Giddey does have strengths that could make him a valuable asset in a different role. His size and rebounding ability (averaging 7.2 boards per game) give him an advantage in the paint. He can also pass the ball effectively, averaging 5.8 assists per game for his career, which could allow him to be a useful playmaker even without the responsibility of being the primary ball handler. If moved to the power forward position, Giddey could still contribute to the offense through his passing and rebounding, but he wouldn’t be burdened with the need to score or defend against faster guards.

For the Bulls, transitioning Giddey to power forward would also create more opportunities for guards like Ayo Dosunmu, Lonzo Ball, or Coby White to step into primary playmaking roles. These players are better equipped to handle the demands of being a lead guard, which would allow Giddey to focus on his strengths and contribute in a different capacity. Furthermore, as a power forward, Giddey would be matched up against slower, more physically imposing players, which could help mask some of his defensive weaknesses.

This shift would also improve the Bulls’ overall spacing and offensive flow. With another guard on the floor, Chicago’s offense would have more dynamic scoring and ball movement, and Giddey could operate more as a secondary playmaker. He could also benefit from less pressure to score, which would allow him to focus on what he does best: rebounding, passing, and contributing to the team’s overall flow.

While this positional change wouldn’t solve all of Giddey’s issues, it may provide him with a better chance of developing into a long-term NBA player. If the Bulls want to maximize Giddey’s potential, moving him to power forward might be the most logical option. It could allow him to contribute more effectively, both offensively and defensively, and help him avoid becoming a forgotten figure in NBA history — a 6-foot-8 guard who never quite lived up to expectations as a point guard.