How Josh Giddey trade proved to be the final piece of the puzzle for NBA champions Oklahoma City

It has consistently been described as one of the NBA's all-time win-win trades, but you would have to wonder how Josh Giddey is feeling right now, as the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate their first ever championship without him.

The Aussie guard had a career best season at the Chicago Bulls, after being traded for guard Alex Caruso last off-season.

Caruso would prove to be the final piece of the puzzle for the Thunder, who along with centre Isaiah Hartenstein, was their key off-season addition.

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Caruso played 32 minutes in the Thunder's decisive game seven win of the NBA Finals win over the Indiana Pacers, starring as a defensive anchor. He was a menace across the playoffs and a key part of their rotation.

But the key isn't just what Caruso is doing on defence, it's the fact that he doesn't need the ball in his hands on offence.

Which is why Giddey was an awkward fit on the Thunder last season, given league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and All-NBA wing Jalen Williams are also quite ball dominant.

Giddey averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists this season and is in line for an extension at the Bulls worth over $100m, he is certainly no slouch. He earned votes for most improved player this season.

But on that OKC team the issues were clear. He hadn't quite arrived as a reliable three-point shooter and his need to make plays with ball in hand overlapped too much with Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams.

Giddey averaged a career high 37.8 per cent from three for Chicago, up from 33.7 per cent in his final year with the Thunder.

He has a long career in front of him as part of a young Bulls squad that could rise up the ranks in the Eastern Conference next year.

The Thunder won 68 games last season and were the clear dominant team in the NBA this season. There's no question they would have still been a strong contender to win the title with Giddey but the other knock on the Australian at Oklahoma was his sometimes lacklustre defence, an issue that was fixed with Caruso, which changed the dynamic of the team.

Had he stayed in Oklahoma, the Aussie's role may have been reduced or shifted, his breakout season likely wouldn't have been as smooth and a player like Cason Wallace likely would have been given Caruso's defensive role.

It was a bold and risky play by Oklahoma City to trade Giddey, given he was a top 10 draft pick and an ascending guard in the league.

But it was also the perfect trade, bringing in a defensive guard who can hit threes, but doesn't need to be a regular ball handler to succeed.

And it has paid off with the ultimate success.