Alex Caruso began his professional basketball journey with the Oklahoma City Thunder, not at the NBA level, but with their G-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, after going undrafted in 2016. Caruso's career has since flourished at the NBA level with both the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls. On Thursday, the Thunder brought Caruso back to Oklahoma City through a trade with the Bulls, sending Josh Giddey to Chicago.
Caruso is highly sought after for his defensive prowess and his capabilities as a connective passer. He has successfully defended superstars like Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Additionally, Caruso is a steadily improving three-point shooter, hitting nearly 41% of his attempts last season. This acquisition strengthens the Thunder’s already impressive defense, which ranked fourth in the NBA.
One of the notable advantages of acquiring Caruso is his contract. Caruso earns roughly $1.5 million more than Giddey next season, but both players are on expiring deals. The Thunder benefit from having their second- and third-best players still on rookie contracts, which allows them the flexibility to create more than $30 million in cap space. This flexibility enables Oklahoma City to address their rebounding issues, potentially by signing a player like Isaiah Hartenstein or re-signing Isaiah Joe to a long-term deal.
Caruso joins a solid defensive lineup that includes Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Jalen Williams. Chet Holmgren's performance last season, where he ranked third in contested shots per game, complements an arguably superior defense compared to recent champions like the Boston Celtics. The Thunder managed to trade a player they could no longer utilize effectively and acquired one highly coveted across the league. Oklahoma City's general manager, Sam Presti, has transformed a potential problem into a significant asset. This strategic maneuvering certainly looks like an "Executive of the Year" level move.
Challenges Ahead for the Chicago Bulls
The trade presents a different picture for the Chicago Bulls, earning them a generous C- grade. Josh Giddey is one of the top ten passers in the league and a good scorer inside the arc. However, Giddey's overall fit with the Bulls remains uncertain. He is among the nine players who have posted at least 10 triple-doubles over the past three seasons. Giddey's success heavily depends on controlling the offense, a scenario that currently seems unlikely in Chicago without significant roster adjustments.
For Giddey to thrive, the Bulls would need to unload Zach LaVine's hefty contract and potentially let DeMar DeRozan leave. The team’s current spacing issues need considerable upgrades to fully leverage Giddey's abilities. Collaboration with Coby White in ball-handling roles could be beneficial but demands intentional development.
Chicago decided to trade for Giddey instead of waiting for other offers for Caruso. Multiple first-round picks and a top-10 pick were reportedly offered for Caruso. Despite Giddey's steady improvement in shooting, making around 34% on 3-pointers last year, his low volume signals that there's still work to do.
In the short term, the Bulls' trade makes them a less competitive team as they work to integrate Giddey and possibly rebuild around him. Chicago owes a top-10 protected first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to the San Antonio Spurs, complicating their immediate future. If the Bulls choose to strategically set themselves up for a rough season to keep their 2025 pick, it could provide access to next year’s elite prospects and potentially accelerate their rebuilding process.
Caruso's exit was almost inevitable for the Bulls, considering their place as a Play-In team. The long-term success of this trade for Chicago hinges on their ability to configure the team well enough to center around Giddey's skills effectively.
Concluding Thoughts
For the Oklahoma City Thunder, the trade to bring back Alex Caruso represents a tactical and commendable maneuver that could position them for greater success. Sam Presti’s decision could indeed be seen as an "Executive of the Year" level move, accentuating his acumen in managing team assets and salary cap.
Conversely, the Chicago Bulls face a period of uncertainty and adjustment. While Josh Giddey is a talented and promising player, significant changes are required for his potential to be realized within the Bulls’ roster. The franchise will need to make difficult decisions and strategic allocations to ensure the trade can yield long-term benefits.
In summary, this trade showcases how two NBA teams with different trajectories aim to leverage their assets to achieve their respective goals. The Thunder fortify their defensive stronghold, while the Bulls embark on a path that may redefine their future.
