Bulls have to see something special from Josh Giddey before he gets new payday

MILWAUKEE — Bulls point guard Josh Giddey is going to get his numbers this season.

Win or lose, he is talented enough to fall out of bed, show up to the arena and put up 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists every night.

That’s not all the front office is looking for, however.

The Bulls need Giddey to be special. They have stat guys and potential. Heck, they’ve paid big-money extensions for that (see guard Zach LaVine and forward Patrick Williams). But those leaps of faith have returned very little as far as team success, as evidenced by the Bulls being eliminated in the play-in tournament the last two seasons.

No, they can’t miss on their evaluation of Giddey, especially with him due a contract extension after the season.

So while he undoubtedly will stuff the stat sheet every night, the Bulls must determine whether he can be a key piece on a playoff contender.

In Giddey’s first NBA stop with the Thunder, that question was answered with a ‘‘no.’’ In their second-round playoff series last season against the Mavericks, he played fewer minutes each game and eventually lost his starting job by Game 5.

The good news for the Bulls — and what they could end up banking on — is that Giddey admitted he was humbled by the benching and even more humbled when the Thunder traded him for guard Alex Caruso.

He used the Summer Olympics with Team Australia to get some of his mojo back, but he also injured an ankle and was sidelined until a few weeks ago.

This is the comeback.

Giddey has taken part in all three of the Bulls’ preseason games, including being the only projected starter to play Monday against the Bucks, and has flashed his potential. He has averaged 11.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and five assists in just less than 23 minutes. He’s also shooting 36.4% from three-point range, which would be a career high for him.

Those are good preseason numbers, but are they worth a big-money extension? Fortunately for the Bulls, they have time on their side.

‘‘I thought Josh did a nice job running the team, helping us get organized, moving the ball,’’ coach Billy Donovan said of the game Monday. ‘‘The first half, I think we took 29 threes. We were doing a lot of good things as far as the shots we generated.

‘‘I think with Josh, since he’s been here, he’s gotten more comfortable and more verbal out there with the rest of the group.’’

That’s why Giddey had no complaint about starting next to a bunch of reserves.

‘‘The more games I can get under my belt before the regular season, the better,’’ Giddey said. ‘‘With that [ankle] injury, being out for a little bit, not playing games since the Olympics, these preseason games are a great way to get back in game shape. Anytime I can be out there, I want to take that chance.’’

The Bulls have two preseason games left and might rest Giddey in one of them. All eyes will be on Lonzo Ball and his expected return from knee surgery Wednesday anyway, so maybe that rest will come against the Timberwolves.

But when the Bulls tip off the regular season next Wednesday against the Pelicans in New Orleans, the attention will be back on Giddey. Specifically, will he be able run the team, make outside shots when opposing teams all but dare him to and live up to his promise of being an improved defender?

Those are a lot of questions to answer with a lot of money on the line.