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. Since then, Caruso's career has flourished at the NBA level with stints at both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls. Now, in a strategic move, the Thunder have 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. Notably, 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.
Beyond his defensive skills, Caruso's contract is an advantage for Oklahoma City. Although Caruso earns roughly $1.5 million more than Giddey next season, both players are on expiring deals. This means the Thunder could potentially create more than $30 million in cap space, allowing them to address their rebounding issues by signing players 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 what is arguably a superior defense compared to recent champions like the Boston Celtics.
The Thunder have masterfully traded 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, making this strategic maneuvering look like an "Executive of the Year" level move.
Chicago Bulls' High-Stakes Gamble
For the Chicago Bulls, the trade presents a rather different picture, earning them a less favorable C- grade. Josh Giddey is undoubtedly one of the top ten passers in the league and a good scorer inside the arc. However, 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, but 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. While collaboration with Coby White in ball-handling roles could be beneficial, it demands intentional development and strategic planning.
Chicago's decision to trade for Giddey instead of waiting for other offers for Caruso raises questions. Multiple first-round picks and a top-10 pick were reportedly offered for Caruso, making the decision to go with Giddey a high-stakes gamble. Giddey has improved his shooting each season, making around 34% on three-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. 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.
