Oklahoma City Thunder
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. Caruso's 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 his capabilities as a connective passer. He has effectively defended superstars like Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Not just known for his defense, 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. Caruso's contract is also an advantage for Oklahoma City. 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, setting the stage for potential financial maneuvering. With this setup, the Thunder could create more than $30 million in cap space.
Moreover, Oklahoma City can address their rebounding issues by possibly 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. Additionally, Chet Holmgren's performance last season, where he ranked third in contested shots per game, complements this already formidable defense.
Thunder's general manager, Sam Presti, executed a strategic maneuver that is drawing praise across the league. By trading a player they could no longer utilize effectively and acquiring one highly coveted, Oklahoma City has positioned itself strongly for the upcoming season. This move certainly looks like an "Executive of the Year" level decision.
Chicago Bulls
For the Chicago Bulls, the trade presents a different picture, 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. He is among the nine players who have posted at least 10 triple-doubles over the past three seasons. Giddey's 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 3-pointers last year, although his low volume signals there is 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. 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.
The contrasting impacts of this trade on the Thunder and Bulls make it one of the more intriguing moves of the offseason. Oklahoma City seems poised to strengthen its defensive identity and make a significant push in the coming season, while Chicago faces a period of uncertainty and potential rebuilding. Whether this move will be hailed as a masterstroke for both teams will be determined in the tumultuous months ahead.
Quotes
"Executive of the Year" level move.