NEWSLETTER
With Alex Caruso now in Oklahoma City, we’re learning more about which teams struck out in their pursuit of the two-time All-Defensive Team member.
The Athletic’s Anthony Slater and Sam Amick shared that the Kings were serious contenders for Caruso last week. More specifically, they reported that Sacramento offered their lottery pick in Wednesday night’s draft for the veteran guard.
“The Kings already tried to use it for a significant roster upgrade. They were close to a trade for defensive ace Alex Caruso last week, according to league sources, offering the No. 13 pick to Chicago as the key chip. The Bulls, to the surprise of many within the league, instead opted to send Caruso to Oklahoma City for Josh Giddey.”
Ah, I’m sure everyone will act normal about this news and not kidnap Benny the Bull for ransom.
Should the Bulls Have Traded Alex Caruso to the Kings?
As we think about this possible trade, we have to ponder one question – what was the offer?
Did the Sacramento Kings simply present the Bulls with the No. 13 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft + Salary Filler? Was there any other future first-round draft capital involved? Or was this part of an even bigger trade package that included ANOTHER key players?
Let’s not forget the Kings have been mentioned numerous times over the last week or so as a possible LaVine suitor. Even after news surfaced of their contract with Malik Monk, the franchise continued to be linked to the two-time All-Star. With that in mind, it’s hard not to wonder if the Bulls and Kings were perhaps close to a blockbuster trade. And that would definitely matter when we talk about the Bulls turning down this No. 13 pick.
Indeed, let’s say the Kings were talking about something like Trey Lyles, Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, and the No. 13 pick in the draft for Zach LaVine + Alex Caruso. While that isn’t my favorite deal, it sure feels like something the Bulls should have considered. They could have gotten off LaVine’s contract while adding some flippable role players AND another lottery pick. Not bad at all.
If the Kings were strictly trying to create a deal centered around the No. 13 pick for Caruso, however, I don’t mind the Bulls’ decision to pursue other avenues. A first-round draft pick – particularly one that can be coined a “lottery pick” – is always sexy. But context matters.
This is considered one of the worst draft classes in over a decade. Meanwhile, Giddey is a former No. 6 overall pick in one of the better drafts we’ve seen in recent years (2021). There is a real case to make that Giddey would go top 5 (maybe even top 3!) in this year’s class.
Now, none of that is to say this Caruso-Giddey swap should actually be considered a home run. Context matters there, too. The Bulls had the best player in the deal and should have been able to get more in return. Nevertheless, opting for a player who has averaged nearly 17/8/6 in a full NBA season over the No. 13 pick in a questionable draft seems reasonable.
Giddey also happens to be just 21 years old. There are multiple players expected to go in the first round on Wednesday night who are already older than him. Has Giddey shown some red flags over his first three years in the NBA? Absolutely (and we discussed those here). But he still has a ton of time to turn into the player many originally thought he could be.
Look, this is all subjective. Whether or not the No. 13 pick is better than Josh Giddey is in the eye of the beholder. I lean toward believing that Giddey is the better bet, especially when we consider that this front office has yet to show they’re particularly draft savvy. However, I can understand those who might be more infatuated with the element of the unknown.
