OKC guard Josh Giddey finds himself on thin ice after a series of accusations online (complete with video evidence) exposed a potential inappropriate relationship with underage influencer Liv Cook. While Giddey and Thunder coach Mark Daigneault have chosen to stay quiet on the scandal for now, the NBA has already opened a full investigation into the situation.
“The NBA is looking into the allegations of Oklahoma City’s Josh Giddey having an inappropriate relationship with a minor that have emerged via social media,” wrote Shams Charania on X.
Giddey has been a huge piece of the Thunder’s rotation this season, and he was on track for a breakout season before being mixed up in this ongoing ordeal. While none of the claims have been verified at this time, the NBA acknowledging the drama gives credence to the idea that Giddey is guilty, and it will have dramatic implications for his career if true.
What Happened With Giddey?
The whole thing started this Thursday when an anonymous account on X exposed the Thunder guard for his relationship with High School influencer Liv Cook. To make matters worse for Giddey, the post came with audio and video evidence of the relationship, including a recording of Giddey himself sending a message to Cook’s brother on Instagram.
The whole thing is pretty damning, and fans online have already started to turn on the young star with calls for him to be suspended from team activities or even released from the roster altogether. The Thunder have not taken such action at this point, but increasing public pressure could force their hand depending on how the NBA’s investigation pans out. But if the Thunder want to get out in front of this crisis, their best course of action would be to speak up and provide some kind of explanation for the accusations made against their young backcourt star.
How Will The NBA Respond?
Any fan who is curious about how the NBA will react in this situation can look at the past for answers. In the case of Miles Bridges, who was entangled in a domestic abuse case, he received a 10-game suspension from the league even though the criminal charges were officially dropped. In the case of Ja Morant, who brandished a gun on social media on two separate occasions, he was handed an extreme 25-game suspension for his actions.
For Giddey, the NBA could come down even harder on him, depending on what their investigation finds. If the story is overblown or unable to be verified, Giddey may face nothing but a slap on the wrist by the NBA. But if the claims are confirmed to be accurate, it will force action in some form, whether it’s a fine, a suspension, or both. If found guilty of having an underage girlfriend, Giddey’s very career could be on the line despite the flashes of greatness he has shown on the court.
Needless to say, this is a fork-in-the-road moment for Josh Giddey and the Thunder. What happens here over the next few days and weeks could determine the trajectory of the franchise. At the very least, it will shape the future of Giddey’s NBA tenure, which is already in serious jeopardy after just two seasons.
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