Luc Longley says athletes must remember they have a “social contract” as well as a financial one, as the Australian basketball legend labelled the Josh Giddey situation “really disappointing”.
Giddey is currently under investigation by both the Newport Beach Police Department in California and the NBA over allegations he had a relationship with a minor two years ago, which first emerged in late November via an anonymous social media post.
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The OKC Thunder guard has since been routinely booed by fans while appearing in every game for the Thunder since the drama erupted – with many questioning why he is being allowed to continue playing with serious allegations hanging over him.
Longley became the first Australian to win an NBA championship playing alongside Michael Jordan as the all conquering Chicago Bulls claimed a three-peat in the 1990s.
Longley, who currently works as a special advisor for the Sydney Kings, wouldn’t discuss the specifics of the Giddey case but said young athletes have to be conscious of not only their performance, but how they conduct themselves off the court.
“I think it would be prudent for me to stay out of the Josh Giddey situation given my roles,” Longley told news.com.au.
“My only observation is that when you’re a professional athlete you have a social contract as well as a basketball contract.
“So clearly for young athletes that’s a real challenge that’s changing fast. It’s really disappointing what’s happening with Josh but I’m not going to give him advice.”
Giddey is one of 10 Australians currently playing in the NBA, and Longley is proud of what they bring to the world’s top basketball league.
“What I like is that teams are actively wanting Aussies on their teams and in their locker rooms,” he said.
“It’s a talent thing but also a personality thing. What the Aussies represent in the locker room is really important to NBA executives.
“They play the right way, they play for their teammates, they’re good in the locker room, they train hard, they listen to coaches. People want Aussies around and I’m proud of that.”
Giddey has continued to play amid the ongoing investigations and had his best game since the allegations emerged — racking up 12 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in a near triple double in OKC’s 134-120 win over Utah on Tuesday (AEDT).
NBA commissioner Adam Silver was probed about the situation during an ESPN interview on the weekend, and explained the NBA’s investigation into Giddey has had to take a back seat while police are involved.
“I think you look back, I can’t think of many circumstances where we’ve (the NBA) suspended a player based on an allegation alone,” Silver said.
“And in this case, we have an allegation and then you have a police investigation and a parallel league investigation.
“I would also add that where there’s a criminal investigation, we (the NBA) take a back seat.
“And so you have an allegation, you have an ongoing criminal investigation, that impacts how the Players’ Association can work with us because of course the player needs to protect his rights, so I’m not going to say ‘never, ever.’”
Silver said the league had no plans to stop Giddey from playing while the investigations continue.
“But I think this is the path we have consistently followed in the past. There’s an ongoing criminal investigation, Newport Police opened up that investigation, notified us, we then take a back seat,” he said.“And that’s where things currently stand.”
Boomers star Giddey is currently in the third year of a four-year, $41m rookie contract with the Thunder, but was due to command significantly more in his next contract given the way he burst onto the NBA scene, using his six-foot-eight frame and incredible passing skills.
However he’s experienced a tough third season to date amid the allegations hanging over him, despite the OKC Thunder becoming one of the hottest teams in the league to start the 2023-24 season.
Across the board he is struggling to make an impact on the court in 2023 with almost every statistical category worse off than his rookie season, and his playing time has also decreased.
Giddey’s shooting struggles have been targeted by opposing teams and the 21-year-old has been mentioned in trade rumours as the odd man out while rookie centre Chet Holmgren takes a bigger role in the Thunder team.
Giddey has only addressed the media once since the posts were made to social media, stating in late November: “I understand the question, obviously, but there is no further comment right now.”
Pushed on the matter again, he said: “I get the question guys. I completely understand you guys want to know about it. But, just for right now, I don’t have anything to say.”
While the age of consent in California, where Giddey is being investigated, is 18, someone accused of statutory rape is able to escape conviction if they reasonably believed the alleged victim was an adult.
Criminal defence lawyer Neil Shouse, a former prosecutor, told CODE Sports this could be successfully argued if the other person “claimed and appeared to be over 18”, carried a fake ID showing they were over 18, or was present in an adult venue like a bar or club.
Giddey has not been charged with any offence. News.com.au has contacted Giddey’s management company Octagon for comment.
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