Warriors trade target Caruso heads to OKC

Golden State made an unsuccessful offer for the All-Defensive guard at the deadline

At this year’s trade deadline, the Chicago Bulls asked the Golden State Warriors for a top-7 lottery pick from the 2021 NBA Draft in exchange for All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso. The Warriors refused to include Jonathan Kuminga, but on Thursday, the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Caruso the player picked just ahead of him, Josh Giddey.

The Thunder took Giddey with the No. 6 pick in 2021, one pick ahead of Kuminga at No. 7. Golden State wasn’t willing to sacrifice the potential of the most prolific Warriors dunker of the last 30 years to get Caruso. Now Caruso heads back to the Western Conference where he first made his name as a three-and-D guard for the Los Angeles Lakers.

When the Warriors asked about Caruso, Chicago wanted Kuminga, and wasn’t interested in whatever alternative offers Golden State came up with, including sending Moses Moody to Chicago instead. Reportedly the Bulls had turned down offers involving multiple draft picks, including one that would have sent back a top-10 draft pick this year. At least last season, the Reinsdorf family, owners of the Bulls for four decades, wanted the Bulls to compete for the playoffs.

That may no longer be the mandate, as Chicago swapped the 30-year-old Caruso for the 21-year-old Giddey. And if there’s one thing Josh Giddey is known for, it’s embracing a youth movement.

This could mean that the Bulls are planning more dramatic roster changes. While he’s an unlikely fit with the Warriors, Zach LaVine is very much available in trades, with the Bulls contacting literally half the league with offers for their All-Star guard, who is owed $138M for the next three seasons. We might also see free agent DeMar DeRozan change teams, if he has higher aspirations than the play-in tournament. After all, Giddey plays the same position as him.

There’s also restricted free agent Patrick Williams, the No. 4 pick from the 2020 draft, and big man Andre Drummond, who is unrestricted. They could even attempt to deal former All-Star center Nikola Vucevic, though he’s owed over $41 million for the next two seasons.

Chicago isn’t necessarily blowing up their roster, but aside from Coby White, everyone on the team should be available in trade. But for the Warriors, Caruso may well have been the only Bulls player they were willing to give up assets for. And those assets did not include their extension-eligible 21-year-old dunk machine.