LeBron James Praises Chicago Bulls' Josh Giddey

The NBA superstar lauds the young guard's development and shooting improvement.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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During NBA All-Star Weekend, LeBron James spoke highly of Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey, praising the Australian's growth as a shooter and overall development since joining the team. James noted that Giddey can no longer be left open, as he is now shooting the ball at a high clip, and highlighted the young player's size, pace, and positive impact on winning.

Why it matters

Giddey's progress is an encouraging sign for the rebuilding Bulls, who made him a centerpiece of their future with a lucrative contract extension. James' praise underscores Giddey's development and suggests he is emerging as a well-rounded, two-way threat capable of leading the franchise.

The details

In his second NBA season, Giddey has improved his three-point shooting to 36.6% on nearly 5 attempts per game, up from 37.8% on 4 attempts as a rookie. He is also averaging career-highs of 18.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game, with a +1.2 EPM that ranks in the 84th percentile league-wide. James highlighted Giddey's size, pace, and ability to impact winning, areas that were previously questioned during his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

  • LeBron James made his comments during NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles in February 2026.

The players

LeBron James

An NBA superstar and the league's all-time leading scorer, who has played for the Los Angeles Lakers since 2018.

Josh Giddey

A young guard for the Chicago Bulls, who was drafted 6th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2021 and later traded to the Bulls, where he has emerged as a key part of the team's future.

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What they’re saying

“I think Josh Giddey continues to get better and better. I think his development since he has gotten to Chicago: His knock was when he left OKC was his ability to shoot the ball. Now he's shooting the ball. You can't just sag off him, you can't just lay off of him and dare him to shoot. He is actually shooting the ball at a high clip. Obviously, he's a big guard. He pushes the pace with a lot of steam. So, he continues to get better and better, and I think Chicago has a really good player in him.”

— LeBron James (si.com)

The takeaway

LeBron James' high praise for Josh Giddey's development is a testament to the young guard's growth and the Bulls' faith in him as a cornerstone of their rebuilding efforts. Giddey's improved shooting and all-around game have made him a more complete player, positioning him to lead Chicago's resurgence in the coming years.