No lawsuit has ever been filed against Josh Giddey over the 2023 allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl in Newport Beach, California. The Newport Beach Police Department closed its criminal investigation on January 17, 2024, without filing charges, and the NBA closed its own inquiry on May 23, 2024, finding insufficient evidence for discipline. Giddey was never arrested, never suspended, and has not been named as a defendant in any civil action tied to the matter.
What the Allegations Were
The story began on social media, not in a courtroom. On November 19, 2023, an anonymous account on X shared a private Instagram post claiming Giddey, then with the Oklahoma City Thunder, was dating a minor. Four days later, a screenshot of a Snapchat photo circulated, and users linked the account to the Instagram profile of a girl living in Newport Beach.1Yahoo Sports. Timeline of NBA, Police Investigations Into Josh Giddey The anonymous poster claimed she was a high school junior when the photos and videos were taken.2ESPN. NBA Looking Into Alleged Relationship Between Giddey and Minor Reporting later indicated she may have been 15 or 16 at the time.3KTLA. NBA Star Won’t Be Charged in Alleged Relationship With Underage Girl Both original social media accounts were deactivated.
Giddey declined to address the substance of the claims. Asked about them on November 24, 2023, he said, “I understand the question obviously, but there’s no further comment right now.”2ESPN. NBA Looking Into Alleged Relationship Between Giddey and Minor
Why the Criminal Case Closed Without Charges
The Newport Beach Police Department opened a criminal investigation on November 29, 2023. Chief Joseph Cartwright said the department was “pursuing all leads and evidence.”4NewsNation. Josh Giddey Investigation Timeline California had jurisdiction because the alleged minor lived there, and California’s age of consent is 18, higher than Oklahoma’s 16 at the time.5The Oklahoman. Josh Giddey Allegations: California Police Investigating NBA OKC Thunder Player
The girl and her parents retained attorney Gloria Allred but declined to speak with detectives. Allred later said the decision was made “to protect their privacy.”6Bleacher Report. Josh Giddey Probe Closed by NBA After Allegations of Relationship With Minor Legal commentators said the family’s refusal to cooperate, along with a relatively narrow age gap, made prosecution extremely difficult.7News.com.au. Lawyer Explains Why Police Couldn’t Charge Josh Giddey as Investigation Ends
When the case closed on January 17, 2024, the department said in a news release: “After a thorough and exhaustive examination, we have completed our investigation into information that was circulating on social media involving Josh Giddey. Our detectives have reviewed all of the available information and were unable to corroborate any criminal activity related to Mr. Giddey.”8CBS Sports. NBA Closes Investigation Into Thunder’s Josh Giddey Allred said the outcome did not surprise her, given that her client had chosen not to participate.9NewsNation. NBA Closes Investigation Into Josh Giddey
Why the NBA Did Not Discipline Him
The league ran a parallel inquiry but deferred to the criminal process. In a December 8, 2023 interview on ESPN’s NBA Today, Commissioner Adam Silver said, “I can’t think of many circumstances where we’ve suspended a player based on an allegation alone,” adding that when a criminal investigation is active, “we take a back seat… the player needs to protect his rights.”10The Oklahoman. Adam Silver: NBA Can’t Suspend OKC Thunder Guard for Allegation
Under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, teams cannot discipline a player solely because he has been arrested. The joint policy with the players’ union on domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse allows the commissioner to place a player on paid administrative leave during an investigation but says that step is not to be “routinely applied.”11ATL Hawks Fanatic (NBA CBA). Joint NBA/NBPA Policy on Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse Giddey was never placed on leave and did not miss any games during either investigation.12Chicago Tribune. Josh Giddey NBA Police Investigation
On May 23, 2024, the league announced it had found “insufficient evidence to bring disciplinary action against Giddey” and closed the file.13Yahoo Sports. Bulls’ Josh Giddey Declines Comment After Investigations Closed Reporting indicated the NBA reached a conclusion similar to that of the Newport Beach police.14The Oklahoman. NBA Closes Josh Giddey Investigation
Is There a Civil Lawsuit?
No. Searches for a “Josh Giddey lawsuit” turn up the criminal investigation and the NBA inquiry, both of which are closed. The family that retained Gloria Allred declined to participate in the police case and has not been reported to have filed any civil claim. No plaintiff, no complaint, and no court docket connected to these allegations has been reported.
Where Things Stand Now
Giddey was traded from the Thunder to the Chicago Bulls on June 21, 2024, roughly a month after the NBA closed its investigation. Thunder general manager Sam Presti framed the deal in basketball terms, saying, “Josh has All-Star potential, but accessing that in the current construct of the Thunder would not be optimal for the collective.” No trade reporting connected the move to the earlier allegations.15ESPN. Bulls Trading Alex Caruso to Thunder for Josh Giddey
Giddey has continued to decline comment on the allegations, telling reporters after the police case closed, “I get that you have to ask that, but I have no comment regarding that situation,”16CBS Sports. Josh Giddey Will Not Face Charges After Allegations of Inappropriate Relationship With Minor and repeating the same stance after his trade to Chicago.13Yahoo Sports. Bulls’ Josh Giddey Declines Comment After Investigations Closed No further legal or disciplinary proceedings tied to the 2023 allegations have been reported.