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. His 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 capabilities as a connective passer. He has effectively defended superstars like Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo, showcasing his value on the defensive end.
Caruso 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. Additionally, Caruso's contract is an advantage for Oklahoma City, as he earns roughly $1.5 million more than Giddey next season. Both players are on expiring deals.
Furthermore, the Thunder benefit from having their second- and third-best players still on rookie contracts. This could allow the Thunder to create more than $30 million in cap space, providing the opportunity 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. With Chet Holmgren’s performance last season, where he ranked third in contested shots per game, the Thunder defense appears superior when compared to 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' Perspective
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. His 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.
Giddey has improved his shooting each season, making around 34% on three-pointers last year. However, his low volume signals that there is 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.
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 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 trade between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls highlights the varying strategies and objectives of NBA franchises. While the Thunder's acquisition of Alex Caruso appears to significantly bolster their defense and cap flexibility, the Bulls' acquisition of Josh Giddey presents a more uncertain future that hinges on substantial roster adjustments and developmental strides.
Both teams are at different stages in their respective journeys, and this trade could potentially redefine their paths moving forward. The Thunder seem poised to continue their ascent as a defensive powerhouse, whereas the Bulls face a pivotal period of reevaluation and rebuilding.
