Multiple teams have contacted the Bulls to inquire about guard Alex Caruso, sources tell K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. It remains to be seen whether Chicago will seriously consider moving its top perimeter defender, but Johnson reiterates that the Knicks and Warriors – previously cited as as teams with interest – are still viewed as potential suitors for the 28-year-old.
On the latest episode of his Please Don’t Aggregate This podcast, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports suggested that the Bulls would seek a substantial return if they were to make Caruso available.
“Someone told me last week that the Chicago Bulls think they could get two first-round picks for Alex Caruso,” Fischer said.
Caruso is an All-Defensive candidate on a team-friendly contract — he’s owed $9.5MM in 2023/24 and a partially guaranteed $9.9MM in ’24/25. Still, it’s hard to imagine a team giving up multiple first-rounders for him unless those picks include relatively heavy protections.
Here’s more on the Bulls:
- It would surprise rival executives if the Bulls do anything too drastic, such as trading DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine, at this year’s trade deadline, Johnson writes in both his aforementioned mailbag and a separate NBC Sports Chicago story. Of the team’s “big three,” Nikola Vucevic is the player to watch, according to Johnson, who notes that losing the big man for nothing this offseason would be a disaster for a front office that gave up several valuable assets to acquire him.
- DeRozan said this week that he isn’t thinking about which players the Bulls could trade for at the deadline or when injured teammates might make it back in the second half, preferring to focus on what the team has available right now. “That’s exactly been my mindset my entire career, before I was in the NBA, everything,” DeRozan said, per Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. “… Whatever cards you’re dealt with, let’s figure it out. … That’s just my mindset when it comes to everything, so I don’t really get caught up in waiting on Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal) to walk through that door to help us. I don’t even think like that. You can be waiting forever for something like that.”
- The Bulls “took a blowtorch to any belief lingering in even their most optimistic fans” with losses in Indiana and Charlotte this week, according to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, who argues that the team as constructed is “unequivocally unfit for playoff basketball” and is in need of a trade deadline shake-up.
Wow why did I think Caruso was actually good? 5 ppg, 11 PER, barely stays healthy.
Same reason why people though Talen Horton Tucker was any good, Laker players get way overrated
To be fair, he is a very good defender and shoots 38% from three. He just doesn’t play enough and can’t stay on the floor when he does. But 2 picks is a ludicrous ask.
Not useless by any means but I expected better counting stars.
He’s playing 24 minutes a night and is averaging 5.5PPG. That puts his Per 36 at 8.2.
He is a difference-maker defensively. He would be a major addition to a contender.
PER is useless
2 first rounders for Caruso…LMAO!
Is he really that good ? Honestly the Bulls should be buyers or complete sellers
Caruso isn’t worth even 1 lottery-protected first. The Bulls are outright delusional in asking for 2. Everybody other than P-Will and Dosunmu should be available, and for reasonable prices. The Bulls, as they are currently constructed, are only good enough to grab 3rd in their division, if even that given the improvement of the Pacers. They jumped at their opportunity to get good too quickly, and with an injury-prone backcourt. Not surprising that they’ve flamed out.
For a title contending team that needs depth and that knows their pick is going to be in the bottom half of the first round – yeah Caruso would be worth that pick.
If CHI could get two 1st rounders for Caruso, he’d be gone. Bench pieces, regardless of how valuable, simply don’t net that. But, make no mistake, he is a very valuable backup. He’s a maniacal defender, who can handle the ball, facilitate and shoot the 3. It doesn’t matter what his PER is, or his PPG.
CHI trading him is a statement that they’re capitulating for the year. His value is strictly centered on winning.
Hed be a great fit in NYC, Dallas, and Minny
Pasting from another thread for the sake of conversation:
Bulls need to trade derozan and vuc for sure. The team is going nowhere. Get value.
I would love for lavine to be traded. He’s insanely skilled, but he is not someone to built a culture around. That’s just what the Bulls need – culture and identity.
The above “big 3” play zero defense, and they complain to refs an abnormal amount while the biggest issues lie within the locker room. These aren’t the ones to build around.
Please keep Caruso, DJJ, Ayo, and Javonte. I like Coby but he still looks unconfident at times. I’m fine keeping PWill for potential. The first five mentioned here play hard and smart. Bulls need to build a culture. Cycling through players won’t do that. Stand your ground, intelligently, and build from a passionate core.
Also, Billy, STOP MAKING EVERY PLAY A DEROZAN ISO.
“Bulls need to trade derozan and vuc for sure. The team is going nowhere. Get value.”
Was just going to post the same thing. They could do an almost complete rebuild but keep Lavine. Trade Vuc, who is a FA after the season anyway. Trade Derozan, who is only under contract for one more year. They’re not winning anything this year or next, so trade whatever you can and load up on draft picks. You still have Lavine under contract for four more years, maybe after two years, with the picks and cap space, they can be good again.
I’m not sure I believe Lavine can be Batman. At this point in his career, he feels like a robin to me. I don’t know if a robin is worth a max contract during a rebuild
Darryl : 100% he isnt batman.
I feel like all these teams are putting out ridiculous asks to try to set the market in hopes of even getting an unprotected first. Supposedly the Wizards were looking for a 1st for Rui and weren’t able to get that. Seems like a similar line of thinking going around the NBA. Plus everyone wants a Gobert haul which was just ridiculous.
Is it the “teams” asking for things ridiculous, or do these “NBA writers” have no “real” info and are just writing nonsense???
Everyone should be on the table and the Bulls should be willing to sell!
Caruso is worth 2 first rounders. The Grizzlies just picked Laravia and Roddy with 2 mid to late 1sts. Those two combined won’t equal probably the wins above replacement their first 3 years what Caruso does in 1.
Dude is a winner and so good on defense it changes the game.
2 top 14 protected picks from a guaranteed playoff team isn’t much at all. Like Caruso to the Nets for some distant Philly protected picks or some Celtics picks.
I’m still of the belief that the Celtics would have won last year if both GPII and Porter Jr didn’t play at all in the finals. Having 1 extra really positive rotation players changes win trajectory.
The Bulls need to be listening on everybody, at least guys who are 25 or older. Say what you want about what they could be if Lonzo was healthy, but he isn’t and very possibly never will be 100% again. Vuc, Demar, Caruso, Drummond, Dragic, Javonte, DJJ, etc. could interest teams and the Bulls sorely need younger/future assets given that they’re already out their 2023 and 2025 1sts. Zach could be available for the right offer, but they probably wouldn’t be selling at peak value and so it might make sense to hold off on that for now. But Pat, Coby, Ayo, and Dalen are the beginning of the rebuild.
The Bulls asking for 2 first round picks means that they aren’t interested in trading him. Nobody is going to give up two picks for him.
Alex Caruso for James Wiseman
Then DD and Vuce for Russ and 2 firsts
And lastly Andre Drummond and a second for Cam Reddish
Bulls go full rebuild with the core being Ball LaVine Williams and Wiseman plus the lakers two future first and cap space created buy Russ’s expiring deal. Most likely in FA you’d be looking to bring in another forward bit of a 3 and D guy with a little more to his game. Kelly Oubre, Kyle Kuzma and Cam Johnson are all possible guys. Cam Reddish depending on how he finishes the year could be worth bringing back aswell. Then to finish it’s about building the right bench with veterans that keep a good culture in place for a young team. For example, with Coby White gone Id bring back DRose who can be a leader and play in the second unit with Ayo.
GSW get Caruso who they want, Lakers get a win now package and Knicks gets centre for while Robinson is out.
Lakers would be sneakily good looking side
Beverly DD Bron AD Vuce
Schroder Walker Brown Jr Hachimura Bryant
With AD always injured Id slide Bron to the 4, DD to the 3 and promote Walker or Reaves.
I’d say with this side they 100% make the playoffs and become a side that most teams don’t really want to play. Good perimeter defence with Bev and Schroder, centres that can space the floor, allowing AD to play bully ball down low. DD is the perfect secondary ball handler and scoring threat. Plus everyone knows Bron takes his game to the next level in the playoffs.
You do not count on Ball being healthy and you trade LaVine.
You can’t live your life on ifs and buts, you just have to put faith in your staff and players and hope for the best.
Almost every player in the league has some injury concern so to just trade someone cause the could get injured it’s dumb
Thats lakers pick will be 2027 and 29.to long time for rebuild. I still want raps players.siakam and trent jr for zach and vooch.if they ask more i dont mind if bulls give them coby and blazers pick or bulls 1st.
Wow, LaVine isn’t a player you build around, so let be clear you trade him, and Ball is injured and has shown very little improvement, so you build a team around an injured player?
I have read your nonsense in the past and let be clear you would ruin a team if you were a GM.
Been a lifelong Bulls fan, and I hate this team. Sell off all valuable players.
DeRozan to the Knicks >>>>>>> NYC
Shoulda signed DD 3 years ago
For….????
“Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports suggested that the Bulls would seek a substantial return if they were to make Caruso available.”
I would believe that largely the reason that Caruso is EVEN in demand, is the perception that he won’t cost much to acquire. Because he might be underrated some. Since he doesn’t play full game minutes and doesn’t seek to score.
Also. ~I’m seeking a substantial return on my 12 year old 720p television.~
I do hate the reindeer games people play.
Bulls have a great mix of talent, that cannot be denied.
So my question is: WTF can’t the coach be traded?!
Williams is garbage. Package him in the trade too