Alex Caruso began his professional basketball journey with the Oklahoma City Thunder's G-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, after going undrafted in 2016. Caruso's career has since blossomed at the NBA level with both the Los Angeles Lakers and the 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. Caruso's contract is an advantage for Oklahoma City, as he 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, which could create more than $30 million in cap space. This financial flexibility allows Oklahoma City to address other team needs, such as rebounding, 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 a defense that could be considered superior to recent champions like the Boston Celtics.
By trading a player they could no longer utilize effectively and acquiring 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 and Josh Giddey
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. Giddey is among the nine players who have posted at least 10 triple-doubles over the past three seasons. His success heavily depends on controlling the offense, which 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.
The Bulls decided to trade for Giddey instead of waiting for other offers for Caruso. Reportedly, multiple first-round picks, including a top-10 pick, were offered for Caruso. While Giddey has improved his shooting each season, making around 34% on three-pointers last year, his low volume signals that there's still work to be done.
In the short term, the Bulls' trade makes them a worse team as they work to integrate Giddey and possibly rebuild around him. Adding to the complications, Chicago owes a top-10 protected first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to the San Antonio Spurs. This 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.
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.
Conclusion
The Oklahoma City Thunder have made a calculated and strategic move by bringing Alex Caruso back to their roster. This decision not only strengthens their already formidable defense but also provides them with financial flexibility to address other team needs. On the other hand, the Chicago Bulls have taken a significant risk by acquiring Josh Giddey. His integration into the team could initially make the Bulls a less competitive team, and the success of this trade will depend on how well they can adapt and build around him in the long run.
Overall, Sam Presti's maneuvering has positioned the Thunder as potential contenders, while the Bulls face a period of uncertainty and necessary adjustments to maximize the potential of their new acquisition.
