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 in a trade with the Bulls, sending Josh Giddey to Chicago.
Caruso is not just any role player; he is highly sought after for his defensive prowess and his capabilities as a connective passer. Notably, Caruso has effectively defended superstars like Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is also a steadily improving three-point shooter, hitting nearly 41% of his attempts last season. The Thunder’s acquisition of Caruso strengthens their already impressive defense, which ranked fourth in the NBA.
Key Additions and Future Prospects
Caruso's contract is an advantage for Oklahoma City. Despite earning roughly $1.5 million more than Giddey next season, both players are on expiring deals. The Thunder also benefit from having their second- and third-best players still on rookie contracts, enabling them to maintain substantial cap flexibility. Oklahoma City could create more than $30 million in cap space, which they can use to address their rebounding issues by potentially 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. Furthermore, 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.
Strategic Win for Oklahoma City
In summary, 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, preventing rivals from obtaining Caruso. This strategic maneuvering certainly looks like an "Executive of the Year" level move.
Chicago Bulls: C- Trade Decision
The trade, however, presents a different picture for the Chicago Bulls, earning them a generous C- grade. While Josh Giddey is one of the top ten passers in the league and a good scorer inside the arc, his overall fit with the Bulls remains uncertain. Giddey is among the nine players who have posted at least 10 triple-doubles over the past three seasons, indicating his versatile skill set. However, his success heavily depends on controlling the offense, a scenario that currently seems unlikely in Chicago without significant roster adjustments.
Potential for Giddey's Growth
For Giddey to thrive, the Bulls would need to unload Zach LaVine's hefty contract and potentially let DeMar DeRozan leave. This may allow Giddey to take control of the offense and maximize his potential. Additionally, 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 it demands intentional development.
Moreover, Chicago decided to trade for Giddey instead of waiting for other offers for Caruso. This choice is somewhat questionable, considering multiple first-round picks and a top-10 pick were reportedly offered for Caruso. Though Giddey has improved his shooting each season, making around 34% on 3-pointers last year, his low volume signals that there's still work to do.
Short-term Setbacks and Long-term Plans
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, which complicates 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.
While Caruso's exit was almost a given for the Bulls, considering their place as a Play-In team, the manner in which the front office managed his departure leaves much to be desired. 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.
Final Thoughts
The trade between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls exemplifies two different strategic pathways. The Thunder's swift and calculated addition of a top-tier role player positions them for immediate defensive improvement and greater flexibility in future moves. Conversely, the Bulls' gamble on Giddey shows promise but requires significant internal changes and patience for results. Ultimately, only time will prove the true value of this notable trade.
