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Fans of the OKC Thunder have voiced their opposition after it emerged they were reportedly considering including Josh Giddey in a trade for Chicago Bulls superstar Zach LaVine.
LaVine could be moved in time before the NBA trade deadline passes and the Thunder are apparently looking to include Giddey in their package.
In November, the 28-year-old refused to be drawn on the possible trade and said it was down to his agent to handle matters regarding his future, with two years left to run on the five-year, $215 million contract he signed with the Bulls.
And it still remains possible that he will stay with Chicago beyond the February 8 deadline, it is also feasible that the OKC make their move to get Giddey off their roster.
The Aussie guard has averages of 11.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 44 games. But fans have been left up in arms about Giddey's potential arrival in Chicago due to a recent scandal, in which he allegedly had an improper relationship with an underage girl.
One fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter, urging Chicago not to accept the trade: "Don't even think about it," they wrote.
Another tweeted: "Why would OKC even do a deal like this! Smh."
"Highly doubt they trade Jalen and Giddy for a losing player like LaVine," another added, while a third wrote: "They wouldn't ruin that team with this trade lol."
The allegations against Giddey
The allegations surfaced following a photo of a blonde girl from Snapchat who said that she hooked up with the Australian shooting guard for the Thunder, despite being claimed to be as young as 15, although nothing has been confirmed or proven.
Newport Beach police ended its investigation into the allegations earlier this month, and Giddey has been available for selection in the meantime. However, the NBA are still reportedly reviewing the matter.
Of course, it remains entirely possible that Chicago refuse the package and LaVine goes nowhere, while Giddey remains with the OKC. And his team-mate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recently gave his backing to the 21-year-old to rediscover his form.
"Josh is an elite passer. When he is aggressive he is a really good basketball player," Gilgeous-Alexander recently said to Forbes. "He went through a little bit of a slump and got better."