Oklahoma City Thunder
Alex Caruso's professional basketball journey took off with the Oklahoma City Thunder's G-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, after going undrafted in 2016. Since then, Caruso's career has blossomed in the NBA, particularly with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls.
In a recent development, 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 skills as a connective passer. He has effectively defended superstars like Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and is a steadily improving three-point shooter, hitting nearly 41% of his attempts last season.
Strengthening Defense and Financial Flexibility
The Thunder's acquisition of Caruso strengthens their already impressive defense, which ranked fourth in the NBA last season. Caruso's contract is another advantage for Oklahoma City, as he earns roughly $1.5 million more than Giddey next season, with both players being on expiring deals. The Thunder benefit from having their second- and third-best players still on rookie contracts, allowing them to potentially create more than $30 million in cap space.
This financial flexibility enables the Thunder to address their rebounding issues. They might look into signing a player like Isaiah Hartenstein or re-signing Isaiah Joe to a long-term deal. Caruso now joins a solid defensive lineup that includes Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Jalen Williams.
High Hopes for Championship-Level Defense
Chet Holmgren's performance last season, where he ranked third in contested shots per game, further complements an already formidable defense. This unit may even rival recent champions like the Boston Celtics. The Thunder managed to trade a player they could no longer utilize effectively and acquired one who is 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.
Chicago Bulls
The trade shines a different light on the Chicago Bulls, earning them a modest C- grade. Josh Giddey, one of the top ten passers in the league and a good scorer inside the arc, joins the Bulls, but his overall fit with the team remains uncertain. Giddey is among the few players who have posted at least 10 triple-doubles over the past three seasons, and his success heavily depends on controlling the offense, a scenario currently unlikely in Chicago without significant roster adjustments.
Challenges and Potential for Giddey
For Giddey to thrive, the Bulls might need to unload Zach LaVine's hefty contract and potentially let DeMar DeRozan leave. The team's current spacing issues require considerable upgrades to fully leverage Giddey's abilities. Collaborating with Coby White in ball-handling roles could be beneficial but demands intentional development.
Chicago opted to trade for Giddey instead of waiting for other offers for Caruso, despite reportedly having multiple first-round picks and a top-10 pick offered for him. Giddey has improved his shooting each season, making around 34% on three-pointers last year, but his low volume indicates there's still work to do.
Strategic Setbacks and Future Prospects
In the short term, the Bulls' trade makes them a worse 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 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 expected for the Bulls, considering their position 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.
Quotes
"Executive of the Year" level move.