Alex Caruso was once considered the heartbeat of the Chicago Bulls last season when the franchise found themselves at the top of the east headed into the All-Star break. A year later, Caruso’s impact diminished mainly due to his various injuries. After circulating the trade block, Coby White has emerged as a serious candidate to return to the Bulls through free agency in the offseason. White, along with Zach LaVine, was drafted by the previous management. This season, White has improved his decision-making and defense, two glaring flaws he had his first few seasons in the league. Originally, we thought Ayo Dosunmu’s emergence would make Coby White expendable. It turns out he’s making Alex Caruso expendable since he can provide the same level of defense, but Caruso can fetch the Bulls a far better deal on the trade market.

“Also boosting Caruso’s value is the reasonable contract he is currently on, which guarantees $9.4 million next season and has only $3 million (of a potential $9.9 million if not waived) due him in 2024-25.

Unless he is packaged as part of a larger deal, Caruso’s return would likely be a young player and pick because of that contract, his All-Defensive-team-caliber ability to defend at the point of attack and generate deflections and steals, and his playoff experience.” kc johnson

Alex Caruso Trade Ideas

According to KC Johnson, Caruso is one of the most valuable trade assets the Bulls have on their roster and could net them a promising young player in return, along with a draft pick. Several teams will be lined up with great offers if the Bulls decide to make Caruso available at the deadline. The Lakers and Warriors could desperately use Caruso’s services, but the latter would have a more enticing trade package for the Bulls.

Bulls Trade: Alex Caruso

Warriors Trade: James Wiseman

The Bulls have many glaring issues with their roster, but backcourt defense isn’t one of them, with or without Alex Caruso on the floor. However, the Bulls have been awful with rebounding the ball, specifically on the defensive end. While James Wiseman isn’t the superstar he was advertised to be coming out of college, he still has the tools to develop into one. The Warriors are in win-now mode with their trio getting older and they don’t have time to wait on Wiseman’s development.

Bulls Trade: Alex Caruso

Sixers Trade: Matisse Thybulle, Furkan Korkmaz, 2027 2nd round pick

The Sixers have a star-studded roster with James Harden, Joel Embiid, and Tobias Harris. They have intentions of being a win-now team. Alex Caruso can help push them over the hump at a relatively low price, considering he’ll be tasked with covering James Harden’s defensive flaws.

Thybulle has connections with Bulls General Manager Mark Eversley and was previously linked to Chicago in the offseason. He’s been in and out of the rotation for the Sixers, but his elite defensive ability has never been questioned. The Bulls would add Korkmaz off the bench for floor spacing, an issue they’ve been dealing with all season.