Oklahoma City Thunder Strengthens Defense with Acquisition of Alex Caruso
Oklahoma City Thunder Strengthens Defense with Acquisition of Alex Caruso
Alex Caruso's professional basketball journey began with the Oklahoma City Thunder, specifically with their G-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, after going undrafted in 2016. Caruso's career has since flourished at the NBA level, making significant contributions to both the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls. Now, 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. Known for his ability to effectively defend superstars like Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo, Caruso brings a solid defensive presence to any team he joins. 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 advantageous for Oklahoma City. Although Caruso earns roughly $1.5 million more than Giddey next season, both players are on expiring deals. Furthermore, the Thunder benefit 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's front office, led by General Manager Sam Presti, could 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. 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.
Presti deserves credit for this strategic maneuvering, turning a potential problem into a significant asset, effectively earning whispers of an "Executive of the Year" level move.
Chicago Bulls Take a Gamble with Josh Giddey
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.
Giddey is among the nine players who have posted at least ten triple-doubles over the past three seasons. Yet, 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 Bulls' current spacing issues need considerable upgrades to fully leverage Giddey's abilities. Collaboration with Coby White in ball-handling roles could be beneficial, but it demands intentional development. Chicago decided to trade for Giddey instead of waiting for other offers for Caruso, which reportedly included multiple first-round picks and a top-10 pick.
On a positive note, Giddey has improved his shooting each season, making around 34% of his three-point attempts last year. However, his low shooting 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.
Furthermore, 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 current status 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. While the trade offers promise, it also presents considerable risk, making it a gamble for the Bulls' front office.
