BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are trading two-time All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for guard Josh Giddey, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/V3t12MA3Uo
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2024
Three days after the NBA season's conclusion, teams are focused on next season with an early blockbuster trade. This trade delivers the Thunder of the league's best role players in Alex Caruso. Caruso is a two-time All-Defensive guard and has been an important role player on the Lakers and the Bulls. He is coming off his best season statistic, averaging 10.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.5 APG on 46.8 FG%. Caruso is also a sneaky good shooter, shooting 40.8% from three-point range last season and 38.0% from three for his career. Alex Caruso's arrival in OKC will improve their defense and depth.
Caruso back in Thunder threads ⚡️
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 20, 2024
(via @wojespn) pic.twitter.com/7RqcVKWDKT
Adding Giddey to the Bulls adds another playmaker to the mix, which Chicago needed. With Lonzo Ball being out since early 2022, the Bulls desperately needed a playmaker to replace him. Giddey, although being in the league for three seasons, is still young, just hitting the age of 21 this season. The move to Chicago will give Giddey more opportunity to have the ball in his hands with no Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams controlling the offense. With more freedom in the offense, the Bulls believe that the move for Giddey comes with All-Star potential.
Josh Giddey in his career:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) June 20, 2024
— 13.9 PPG
— 7.3 RPG
— 5.7 APG
— Most triple-doubles by a teenager
Set the NBA record for the youngest player to put up a triple-double. pic.twitter.com/hLAKoUphNG
Both teams are looking to improve in the upcoming 2024-25 NBA Season. Chicago is looking to break the playoff drought as they have only made the playoffs once out of the past seven seasons (lost to the Bucks in five games). With this move, they look to increase playmaking, scoring, and overall winning. The Thunder are also looking to improve after an impressive season. OKC reached the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time in eight seasons and finished first in the West with a record of 57-25. With emerging stars like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, putting a core role player and defensive maestro next to the duo could pair very well for the Thunders future. As the 2023-24 NBA season just wrapped up, it is clear that teams are now locked in on the next season.
