The Oklahoma City Thunder made a noteworthy move by acquiring Alex Caruso in a trade with the Chicago Bulls, sending Josh Giddey to Chicago. Caruso's basketball journey began with the Thunder's G-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, after he went undrafted in 2016. His career has since flourished at the NBA level with the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls.
Caruso's Return
On Thursday, Caruso was brought back to Oklahoma City in a trade that highlights the Thunder's strategic thinking. Known for his defensive prowess and capabilities as a connective passer, Caruso has effectively defended superstars like Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Additionally, he has steadily improved his three-point shooting, 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. Adding Caruso to a defensive lineup that includes Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Jalen Williams further solidifies the team’s defensive capabilities. Moreover, 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.
Economic Advantage
Caruso's contract is also an advantage for Oklahoma City. He earns roughly $1.5 million more than Giddey next season, with both players on expiring deals. This financial maneuvering benefits the Thunder, as their second- and third-best players are still on rookie contracts. In fact, the Thunder could create more than $30 million in cap space, allowing them to address rebounding issues by potentially signing a player like Isaiah Hartenstein or re-signing Isaiah Joe to a long-term deal.
Overall, 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: Uncertainty Abounds
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.
Challenges for Giddey
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 also need considerable upgrades to fully leverage Giddey's abilities.
Collaboration with Coby White in ball-handling roles could be beneficial but demands intentional development. Additionally, the Bulls 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 that Chicago might have hastened their decision-making process.
Giddey has improved his shooting each season, making around 34% on three-pointers last year. However, 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. Chicago owes a top-10 protected first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft to the San Antonio Spurs, complicating their immediate future.
A Potential Rebuild
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.
In summary, while the trade has provided the Oklahoma City Thunder with a significant asset in Alex Caruso, the Chicago Bulls' future with Josh Giddey remains uncertain. Each team's ability to leverage this trade will significantly impact their performance in the upcoming seasons.
