Alex Caruso started his professional career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, although not in the NBA. Following the 2016 NBA Draft, he entered into an agreement with the Oklahoma City Blue of the G-League. Since that time, Caruso has experienced significant success with both the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls. Now, in an unexpected turn of events, he is coming back to the Thunder, a team that undeniably always remembered him.
In a deal that signals the beginning of the NBA trade season, the Thunder traded for Caruso from the Bulls by sending Josh Giddey, a promising young player who joined the league with high expectations. This exchange of skilled players brings fresh dynamics to both teams, and here is a detailed analysis of how each team performed in this agreement.
Oklahoma City Thunder receives a grade of A+.
Adding Alex Caruso to the team was an acquisition.
Alex Caruso is widely seen as one of the most desired role players in the NBA in recent years, known for his strong defensive abilities and developing offensive talents. Caruso is skilled at shutting down top-level players such as Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is also recognized for his passing and shooting abilities, making almost 41% of his three-point shots last season. Furthermore, his current contract is very favorable for the team, as it doesn’t even exceed eight figures this season.
Matching with the Thunder
The Thunder were already a strong defensive team, with a fourth place ranking in defense and leading the NBA in three-point percentage in the last season. The addition of Caruso strengthens the defensive capabilities of the lineup, which already includes Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, who was third in contested shots per game last season. Having Caruso could elevate the Thunder’s defense above the championship-winning Boston Celtics’ strong defensive lineup.
Impact on finances
Caruso’s deal will add around $1.5 million to the Thunder’s expenses compared to Giddey’s contract for the upcoming season. Nevertheless, the Thunder maintained their long-term financial flexibility as both players were on contracts set to expire. If necessary, OKC can still generate additional cap space exceeding $30 million, enabling them to fulfill other team requirements like boosting their rebounding through possible signings such as Isaiah Hartenstein.
NBA Trade Grades: OKC gets one of NBA’s best role players in Alex Caruso, while Bulls land work in progress – https://t.co/XPANsaLZOl https://t.co/E9rnJSgVoP
— QWIKET NBA (@qwiket_nba) June 20, 2024
Advantage in strategy
By adding Caruso, the Thunder improve their roster and block other teams from getting one of the NBA’s top role players. This strategic decision ensures that Caruso won’t be able to improve the rosters of Western Conference rivals, potentially impacting the Thunder’s playoff goals.
Total Influence
The Thunder successfully swapped a player they couldn’t fully use for one who is in high demand throughout the league. Josh Giddey, even though he has potential, faced challenges as a 31% career shooter from beyond the arc and was not a good match for a team that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads. OKC’s GM Sam Presti successfully transformed this difficulty into a substantial advantage, obtaining a player that most teams would have found difficult to obtain even with their top resources.
Chicago Bulls received a grade of C-.
Josh Giddey’s potential is significant.
Josh Giddey unquestionably has impressive skills, including top-notch passing, solid rebounding, and the ability to score near the basket. Having achieved 10 triple-doubles in the last three seasons, he has showcased his versatility and potential. Nevertheless, there are several queries regarding Giddey’s compatibility with the Bulls.
Difficulties faced in the city of Chicago
For Giddey to thrive, he requires control over the offense, but the current roster and playing style of the Bulls may not be conducive to his success. Giddey’s strengths are not well matched with Chicago’s offense, which is ranked 28th in pace and 26th in three-point attempts. In order for him to succeed, the Bulls must make major changes, such as potentially parting ways with Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, to better support Giddey’s skills as a playmaker.
Importance and right moment for the trade
josh giddey
The Bulls’ choice to trade Caruso immediately, instead of holding out for a possibly improved deal, is confusing. Sources indicated that Caruso’s worth was substantial, with proposals featuring numerous first-round selections and a top-10 draft choice. Questions arise about the Bulls’ strategy due to the timing and terms of this trade, showing a failure to fully utilize Caruso’s market value.
Thinking about the future for an extended period
In spite of these difficulties, there are positive aspects. Giddey has made progress in shooting, hitting approximately 34% on three-pointers last season, even though the sample size is limited. Moreover, this deal also decreases the Bulls’ performance in the immediate future, which might aid in preserving their top-10 safeguarded first-round selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, potentially positioning them for upcoming achievements.