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 highly sought after for his defensive prowess and his capabilities as a connective passer. He has effectively 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.
The Thunder’s acquisition of Caruso strengthens their already impressive defense, which ranked fourth in the NBA last season. His contract is also an advantage for Oklahoma City. Caruso earns roughly $1.5 million more than Giddey next season, and both players are on expiring deals. The Thunder benefit from having their second- and third-best players still on rookie contracts, potentially creating more than $30 million in cap space. This financial flexibility allows the Thunder 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. 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.
Chicago Bulls: A New Direction?
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, but 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. However, 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, indicating his high trade value. Giddey has improved his shooting each season, making around 34% on 3-pointers last year, but his low volume signals that there's still work to do.
In the short term, the Bulls' trade makes them a worse team as they work to integrate Giddey and possibly rebuild around him. The Bulls owe 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 a given 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.
Future Implications
Both teams have set their sights on vastly different futures through this trade. For Oklahoma City, acquiring a defensive powerhouse like Caruso adds depth and flexibility, bolstering their already solid defensive framework. With significant cap space and young talents on rookie contracts, the Thunder are poised for strategic offseason moves that could elevate them into serious contention.
For Chicago, integrating Giddey presents challenges and uncertainties, particularly with the current roster configuration. However, if successfully executed, this could be the cornerstone move that either redefines the Bulls' strategy or precipitates a full-scale rebuild, keeping them competitive in the long run.
This trade illustrates the contrasting strategies of two teams navigating their futures in the NBA landscape. While Oklahoma City appears to be consolidating their strengths, Chicago is taking a more uncertain route in hopes of unlocking greater potential.
