What's next for Josh Giddey as NBA continues review into OKC Thunder guard?
SALT LAKE CITY — With every touch, with any thought that Josh Giddey might become involved with a play, the boos at the Target Center queued like a soundboard. They drowned out any possible vitriol toward an official, or any displeasure toward an opposing play.
It was Nov. 28 in Minneapolis, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first road appearance since Giddey made headlines. Five days earlier, a since-deleted post from an anonymous user on X (formerly Twitter) alleged his involvement in an improper relationship with an underage girl. Giddey continued to play. The jeers never stopped.
They followed the 21-year-old Giddey to every city while the Newport Beach Police Department and NBA each conducted separate investigations.
The Newport Beach Police Department announced Wednesday night that, without any findings of corroborative information, it was closing its case. Giddey won’t face any charges in California, where the age of consent is 18.
More: OKC Thunder player grades: Where each player stands at NBA midseason mark
"After a thorough and exhaustive examination, we have completed our investigation into information that was circulating on social media involving Josh Giddey," the NBPD statement read.
"Our detectives have reviewed all of the available information and were unable to corroborate any criminal activity related to Mr. Giddey. The Newport Beach Police Department is committed to ensuring that accurate information is disseminated to the public, while also ensuring the rights of all those involved."
After a near two-month investigation, Giddey has shed legal attention.
Asked Thursday if he could describe the past couple of months, the Australian guard declined to comment. When asked how he might be able shift his attention toward basketball moving forward, Giddey didn’t change his stance.
“I get that you’ve gotta ask that, but I don’t have any comment regarding that situation,” Giddey said at a morning shootaround at the Delta Center ahead of the Thunder's game against the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.
Giddey, who was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, is averaging 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game in his third season with OKC.
More: Everything we know about Josh Giddey investigation as NBA looks into OKC Thunder guard
While any legal case might be behind him, Giddey isn’t completely in the clear. A league spokesperson told The Oklahoman that the NBA’s investigation remains ongoing.
In an interview with ESPN on Dec. 8, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he couldn't "think of many circumstances where we’ve suspended a player based on an allegation alone.
“So we have an allegation and then you have a police investigation and a parallel league investigation. I’ll also add that where there’s a criminal investigation, we take a backseat. You have an allegation, you have an ongoing criminal investigation — that impacts how the players and Players Association can work with us because of course the player needs to protect his rights.
“I’m not going to say never ever, but I think this is the path we’ve consistently followed in the past. … That’s where things currently stand.”
The cloud that’s followed him to NBA arenas since November likely won’t dissolve soon. But as of Thursday, Giddey's legal troubles are in the rearview.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What's next for OKC Thunder's Josh Giddey as NBA continues its review?
