Oklahoma City Thunder: Strategically Acquiring Alex Caruso
Oklahoma City Thunder: Strategically Acquiring Alex Caruso
Alex Caruso's basketball journey began with the Oklahoma City Thunder, although not immediately at the NBA level. After going undrafted in 2016, Caruso started his professional career with the Thunder's G-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue. Since then, he has flourished in the NBA with both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls.
On Thursday, the Thunder brought Caruso back to Oklahoma City in a trade with the Bulls, sending Josh Giddey to Chicago. This move demonstrates Oklahoma City's commitment to strengthening their defense, which ranked fourth in the NBA last season. Caruso is renowned for his defensive prowess and his ability to serve as a connective passer. He has effectively defended superstars like Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo, making him a highly coveted player in the league.
Caruso's credentials are not limited to his defense. He has become a steadily improving three-point shooter, hitting nearly 41% of his attempts last season. This acquisition significantly bolsters the Thunder’s already impressive defense, adding him to a solid lineup that includes Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Jalen Williams.
A financially advantageous aspect of the trade for the Thunder is Caruso's contract. Next season, Caruso will earn roughly $1.5 million more than Giddey, and both players are on expiring deals. This financial flexibility allows the Thunder to potentially create more than $30 million in cap space. Additionally, with their second- and third-best players still on rookie contracts, Oklahoma City is well-positioned to make further strategic moves, addressing critical needs such as rebounding by potentially signing a player like Isaiah Hartenstein or re-signing Isaiah Joe to a long-term deal.
Chet Holmgren's performance last season, where he ranked third in contested shots per game, complements the Thunder's defense, making it arguably superior to recent champions like the Boston Celtics. Oklahoma City's general manager, Sam Presti, has effectively transformed a potential problem into a significant asset. This strategic maneuvering unquestionably appears to be an "Executive of the Year" level move.
Chicago Bulls: Evaluating the Trade
The trade presents a different narrative for the Chicago Bulls, earning them a generous C- grade. Josh Giddey, one of the top ten passers in the league, is a good scorer inside the arc and is among the nine players who have posted at least 10 triple-doubles over the past three seasons. However, Giddey's overall fit with the Bulls remains uncertain.
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 also require considerable upgrades to fully leverage Giddey's abilities. Collaboration with Coby White in ball-handling roles could be beneficial but demands intentional development.
The Bulls' decision to trade for Giddey, rather than waiting for other offers for Caruso, is notable. Multiple first-round picks and a top-10 pick were reportedly offered for Caruso. Nevertheless, Giddey has shown consistent improvement in his shooting, making around 34% of his three-pointers last year. However, his low volume of attempts signals that work is still needed.
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.
The exit of Alex Caruso from the Bulls was almost a given, considering their position 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 conclusion, while the Oklahoma City Thunder have made a significant move in acquiring Caruso, strengthening their defensive lineup and increasing financial flexibility, the Chicago Bulls face a challenging integration period. The distinct approaches and needs of both teams will ultimately determine the success of this trade.
