Oklahoma City Thunder and Chicago Bulls Trade Analysis
Oklahoma City Thunder
Alex Caruso's professional basketball career began with the Oklahoma City Thunder's G-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, after he went undrafted in 2016. Since then, Caruso has managed to carve out a respectable NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls. On Thursday, Caruso's journey came full circle as the Thunder brought him back to Oklahoma City through a trade with the Bulls that sent 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, showcasing his ability to hold his ground against elite competition. Additionally, Caruso has shown steady improvement in his three-point shooting, hitting nearly 41% of his attempts last season.
Strengthening the Defense
The Thunder’s acquisition of Caruso significantly bolsters their already impressive defense, which ranked fourth in the NBA. Caruso joins a solid defensive lineup that includes Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and Jalen Williams. The presence of Chet Holmgren, who ranked third in contested shots per game last season, complements what may now be an even stronger defensive unit compared to recent champions like the Boston Celtics.
One major advantage for Oklahoma City is Caruso's contract. Though Caruso will earn roughly $1.5 million more than Giddey next season, both players are on expiring deals. This financial flexibility is beneficial for the Thunder, who still have their second- and third-best players on rookie contracts. As a result, Oklahoma City could create more than $30 million in cap space. This puts them in an excellent position to address their rebounding issues, potentially by signing a player like Isaiah Hartenstein or re-signing Isaiah Joe to a long-term deal.
Strategic Maneuvering
The Thunder successfully managed to trade a player they could no longer utilize effectively and acquired one who is highly coveted across the league. This strategic maneuvering by Oklahoma City's general manager, Sam Presti, appears to be an "Executive of the Year" level move. The trade has transformed a potential problem into a significant asset, benefiting both Caruso and the Thunder.
Chicago Bulls
The trade paints a different picture for the Chicago Bulls, earning them a modest C- grade. Josh Giddey, one of the league's top ten passers and a proficient scorer inside the arc, joins the Bulls. However, Giddey's overall fit with the Bulls remains uncertain.
Challenges and Potential
Giddey is among the nine players who have posted at least ten triple-doubles over the past three seasons. However, his success heavily relies on his ability to control the offense—a scenario that currently seems unlikely in Chicago without significant roster adjustments. For Giddey to thrive, the Bulls might need to unload Zach LaVine's hefty contract and potentially let DeMar DeRozan leave. Additionally, to fully leverage Giddey's abilities, the team’s current spacing issues need considerable upgrades.
Collaboration with Coby White in ball-handling roles could be beneficial but demands intentional development. Chicago opted to trade for Giddey instead of waiting for other offers for Caruso. It's worth noting that the Bulls reportedly received multiple offers, including first-round picks and a top-10 pick for Caruso. Giddey has shown improvement in his shooting each season, making around 34% of his 3-point attempts last year, though his low volume indicates there is still work to be done.
Short-Term Pain for Long-Term Gain?
In the short term, the Bulls' trade might make them a worse team as they work to integrate Giddey and possibly rebuild around him. Moreover, 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 set themselves up for a tough 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 inevitable for the Bulls, given their status as a Play-In team. The long-term success of this trade hinges on the Bulls' ability to reconfigure the team effectively around Giddey's skills. Only time will tell if this gamble will pay off for Chicago, but for now, it remains a bold and uncertain move.
