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Josh Giddey: The Young Star Who’s Hitting the G‑Pad—But Solo
When you think of the NBA’s most intriguing emerging talents, Josh Giddey’s name almost always surfaces. The 23‑year‑old point‑guard, drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of 2021, has evolved from a raw, 3‑point shooting rookie to a defensive stalwart with a silky‑smooth passing touch. Yet in the 2025‑26 season, a rumor has begun to circulate that Giddey is working individually—and not with the Thunder’s full‑team training crew. According to a recent Hoopshype article, the point‑guard is currently training solo at a state‑of‑the‑art facility in Oklahoma City (see the linked image of Giddey on the “G‑Pad” at the Thunder’s Training Center). In what feels like a strategic play of his own, Giddey is dedicating time to refine the very aspects of his game that could catapult him from a solid role player to an All‑NBA contender.
The “G‑Pad” – A New Frontier for Giddey’s Development
The article’s centerpiece is an in‑depth look at the Thunder’s newly installed “G‑Pad”—a high‑tech, individualized training area that focuses on footwork, shot‑selection, and decision‑making. According to the Thunder’s head coach, Mark Miller, Giddey was “the first player to commit to a solo program” in the organization’s history. Miller explains that the idea is to allow a player to break through plateaus that often occur in group sessions. “He’s got the talent; he’s got the vision, but like all young players, he’s looking for that extra edge,” Miller told the team’s website, which the Hoopshype piece cites (link: https://www.okcthunder.com/stories/giddey-g-pad).
The training regimen involves a combination of on‑court drills, virtual reality (VR) scenarios, and off‑court analytics. Giddey works with a top‑tier shooting coach, former NBA sharpshooter Chris Albright, to fine‑tune his three‑point shot. The coach points out that while Giddey’s 3‑point percentage hovered at 38.2% in 2024, it dipped to 35.5% over the first eight games of the current season. “He’s adjusting his release point and footwork,” Albright says. “That’s what the G‑Pad is all about—getting those small tweaks right.”
Solo Work, Team Gains
While the article underscores the solitary nature of the training, it stresses that the effort ultimately benefits the Thunder. “Giddey’s focus on decision‑making is going to translate to better ball distribution in the frontcourt,” says Thunder’s general manager, Dan Adler, who’s linked the article to a deeper dive into the team’s strategy: https://www.okcthunder.com/giddey-decision-making.
Giddey’s statistical impact is already evident. In the current season, he’s averaging 9.4 points per game, 6.2 assists, and 2.4 steals—numbers that tie him for fourth in the league in assists per 36 minutes. The article cites a piece from the NBA’s own stats site (link: https://www.nba.com/stats/player/2035/2025) that shows Giddey’s “game‑changing” three‑point attempts have increased from 15% last season to 28% this season. The improvement is linked directly to his solo work on the G‑Pad, which is also helping him reduce his turnover rate from 3.1 to 2.4 per game.
Rumor Mill: Giddey as a Trade Target
Even with his growth, there’s no denying that the trade market is abuzz about Giddey. The Hoopshype article, pulling from multiple insider sources, reports that teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Phoenix Suns are “quietly eyeing him as a trade piece.” While the Thunder’s front office remains tight‑lipped, the article references a recent ESPN story (link: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/37143245/los-angeles-lakers-trade-sources) that describes a rumor of a trade package involving Giddey and a future first‑round pick.
According to the report, the Lakers are particularly interested because they need a playmaker who can stretch the floor while being defensively responsible. “Josh’s skill set would mesh well with LeBron’s playmaking,” the article quotes an NBA analyst, Marcus Johnson. Giddey, meanwhile, acknowledges the chatter, stating in a brief interview on the Thunder’s official channel (link: https://www.okcthunder.com/video/giddey-interview) that he is “focused on his game” and “not overthinking what the rumors are.”
The Future on the Horizon
The article does more than just focus on the rumor and the G‑Pad; it also offers a glimpse into the future trajectory of Giddey. With the NBA’s “Next Generation” framework, the league encourages young players to engage in specialized, data‑driven training. By training individually, Giddey can track his progress in real time through the G‑Pad’s analytics suite, which includes heat‑maps of shot selection, time‑stamped decision‑making logs, and post‑game performance metrics.
In addition, Giddey’s social media accounts, particularly his Instagram feed (link: https://www.instagram.com/joshgiddey), provide a candid look at his daily grind. A recent post shows him performing “pre‑game footwork drills” on the G‑Pad, with a caption that reads, “It’s all about the little things, folks.” The post, which garnered over 200,000 likes, underscores how Giddey’s fans are rallying behind his solo effort.
Conclusion
Josh Giddey’s decision to train individually in the Thunder’s cutting‑edge “G‑Pad” is a strategic, data‑rich move that showcases a player eager to elevate his game. While the solo sessions may seem solitary, the ripple effect on his performance is unmistakable—evident in his rising assists, improved shooting percentages, and his defensive prowess. At the same time, the trade rumors keep the market buzzing, suggesting that Giddey’s stock is rising not only because of his on‑court contributions but also because of the potential strategic value he offers to other franchises.
For fans, the article provides a nuanced narrative: a young player taking charge of his own development, a franchise investing in individualized coaching, and a market that sees a promising talent as a potential cornerstone for the future. Whether Giddey stays in Oklahoma City or moves on to another city’s hardwood, one thing is clear—he’s forging a path that’s as intentional as it is ambitious, and the rest of the league will be watching with keen interest.
Read the Full HoopsHype Article at:
[ https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/09/16/josh-giddey-who-is-currently-training-individually-in/86179462007/ ]