Some insight into why OKC is still playing Giddey amid allegations

Over the last few days, the basketball community has become aware of the allegations involving Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Josh Giddey in which the NBA has opened up an investigation regarding an alleged inappropriate relationship with a minor. 

In his pregame media availability against the Philadelphia 76ers, Daigneault confirmed Giddey will continue to play for the Thunder until told otherwise by the league.

“Available to play. Will play. No change in status from a basketball standpoint,” Daigneault said. “Still I have no comment on anything else.”

While 95% of the Paycom Arena crowd cheered for Giddey when his name was announced in the starting lineup, there was a lot of discontent from within OKC’s fanbase for the organization letting him play amid an investigation. 

I’m here to provide just a little reasoning behind the decision. 

First of all, as we all know, the allegations are serious and should be handled as such if they are proven to be substantiated. 

But in this case, whether you think it’s fair or not, nothing is proven and the Thunder and their legal team have yet to find any compelling evidence to support the allegations. 

It’s hard to suspend someone based on allegations with absolutely nothing confirmed. Plus, this is a league-wide investigation, so OKC is choosing to defer to the NBA, allowing them to do their due diligence while not throwing their point guard under the bus.

Considering the inverse of this: Oklahoma City decides to suspend Giddey during the investigation, then the NBA finds that there were no violations legally or ethically, how will Giddey and his camp feel about the organization that are supposed to have his back? That could cause mistrust between the two parties and permanently fracture the relationship…and the Thunder are big on player-organization relationships.

Recollect the Trevor Bauer situation. The NBA and the Thunder are on their toes to avoid the same thing from happening to Giddey, so they’re doing their due diligence without jumping to conclusions.

This is a risky move by the Thunder, who are clearly doing what they can to stand behind their player, regardless of the allegations. If there were more concrete and blatantly obvious facts supporting these accusations up front, the Thunder would not be as lenient, but the lack of facts, plus their internal conversations with Giddey, led the Thunder to stick beside their point guard. 

The fan’s concern is valid, but these situations are touchy and difficult to maneuver through. The NBA is conducting an investigation, and if Josh is proven guilty of these allegations on any level, the Thunder will have to act accordingly, because the league will likely enforce it.