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, effectively defending 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. Caruso’s contract is also an advantage for Oklahoma City, as he earns roughly $1.5 million more than Giddey next season. Both players are on expiring deals, giving the Thunder flexibility. Oklahoma City benefits from having their second- and third-best players still on rookie contracts, allowing them to potentially create more than $30 million in cap space.
The Thunder can further 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. Complementing this defense is Chet Holmgren, whose performance last season saw him rank third in contested shots per game. This defense may even be superior to recent champions like the Boston Celtics.
By trading a player they could no longer utilize effectively and acquiring 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’ Gamble
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 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. However, 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. Although Giddey has improved his shooting each season, making around 34% on 3-pointers last year, 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. The Bulls owe 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 is a fascinating case of strategic basketball maneuvering. On the one hand, the Thunder have managed to fortify their defense and position themselves advantageously for future moves. On the other, the Bulls have taken a risk that, if managed well, could pay off in the long run but involves considerable short-term setbacks.
Oklahoma City's decision to bring Alex Caruso back demonstrates their commitment to building a top-tier defense, and it reflects the astute management by Sam Presti. Conversely, the Bulls are betting on the potential of Josh Giddey, which, while promising, requires significant strategic adjustments. As these teams navigate their respective futures, it will be intriguing to see how these moves impact their performance on the court.
