The NBA off-season appears to be in full swing.
The first trade of the off-season seems to have been made on Thursday with the Chicago Bulls sending guard Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for guard Josh Giddey, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Caruso, 30, brings championship pedigree and a defensive presence that will bolster an already loaded Thunder team that finished atop the Western Conference this past season.
The two-time All-Defence team member averaged 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists through 71 games for the Bulls in 2023-24.
A champion in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers, Caruso was entering the final year of his current contract, with expectations of a raise. With Chicago supposedly willing to re-sign DeMar DeRozan (UFA) and Patrick Williams (RFA) — and no signs of a trade partner for Zach LaVine — the Bulls didn’t appear willing to foot that bill.
Oklahoma City has the cap flexibility to retain Caruso long-term, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is under contract until 2027 and co-stars Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams are still on rookie deals.
Caruso and Lu Dort now form arguably the league’s most vaunted duo of wing defenders.
Meanwhile, Giddey will hope to reach his potential after being the sixth-overall pick in 2021. The 21-year-old averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists through 80 games last season with OKC.
An adept playmaker, Giddey had to share ball-handling duties with a perennial MVP candidate (Gilgeous-Alexander) and rookie star (Holmgren). And in the post-season, Giddey saw his role reduced further as teams targeted the guard for his lack of three-point shooting.
Regardless of that, his playmaking chops will be welcomed in Chicago as the Bulls have tried (i.e., Lonzo Ball) and failed to find a true facilitator to elevate their stars and depth pieces alike.
Giddey will get an elevated role not having to play alongside Gilgeous-Alexander, and he can be the Bulls’ engine on offence — setting up players like breakout guard Coby White.
The Australian will be able to work out a rookie-scale extension with Chicago ahead of restricted free agency next off-season.
In a surprising move, the Chicago Bulls have traded guard Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for rookie Josh Giddey. The trade, which was announced on Tuesday, has sent shockwaves through the NBA community as fans and analysts alike try to make sense of the deal.
Caruso, who signed with the Bulls in the offseason, has been a key contributor to the team’s success this season. Known for his defensive prowess and high basketball IQ, Caruso has quickly become a fan favorite in Chicago. However, with the emergence of rookie guard Ayo Dosunmu, the Bulls felt comfortable parting ways with Caruso in order to acquire a young talent like Giddey.
On the other hand, Giddey has shown flashes of potential in his rookie season with the Thunder. The 19-year-old Australian guard has impressed with his playmaking ability and court vision, averaging 10.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. Giddey’s size and versatility make him a valuable asset for the Bulls as they look to bolster their roster for a deep playoff run.
While some fans may be disappointed to see Caruso leave Chicago, the trade signals the Bulls’ commitment to building for the future. By acquiring a young talent like Giddey, the Bulls are positioning themselves for long-term success while still remaining competitive in the present.
It remains to be seen how both players will adjust to their new teams and roles, but one thing is for certain – the NBA landscape has been shaken up once again with this blockbuster trade. Only time will tell if the Bulls made the right decision in parting ways with Caruso, but one thing is certain – the team is not afraid to make bold moves in pursuit of a championship.