The trade grants the Thunder one of the league’s most sought-after role players. Caruso, a 30-year-old guard, has been a long-time target for Thunder General Manager Sam Presti.
Caruso’s addition is likened to the Golden State Warriors’ acquisition of Andre Iguodala in 2013, who was also 30 years old at the time. This strategic move aims to bolster the Thunder, who secured the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed this past postseason.
For the Bulls, the trade addresses a pressing need to find a playmaker to replace Lonzo Ball. Giddey, a 21-year-old guard with All-Star potential, will now have an opportunity to shine in a new environment where his playmaking abilities can be fully utilized.
The Thunder, with MVP runner-up Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and rising star Chet Holmgren, found it challenging to maximize Giddey’s potential within their existing structure.
Presti stated that the Thunder had considered bringing Giddey off the bench next season, a role the young guard found difficult to accept.
“Conversations turned to him inquiring about potential opportunities elsewhere,” Presti said to ESPN. “Josh has All-Star potential, but accessing that in the current construct of the Thunder would not be optimal for the collective. Based on these discussions, we decided to move forward and prioritize what was best for the organization.”
Giddey, the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, has developed into one of the league’s most creative young playmakers. His move to the Bulls will allow him more freedom to control the offense and showcase his skills. The Bulls, in need of an offensive engine, gain a promising talent in Giddey.
Last season, Giddey played a career-high 80 games for the Thunder but saw his role diminish during the Western Conference playoffs. His scoring average dropped from 16.6 points per game in the 2022-23 season to 12.3 points per game last season.
Despite this, Giddey has achieved 11 career triple-doubles, ranking him fourth among players aged 21 or younger, trailing only Luka Doncic, Magic Johnson and Ben Simmons, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Caruso, known for his defensive prowess, shot 40.8% on 3-pointers and ranked fourth in the NBA in steals last season. He was second only to his new Thunder teammate, Luguentz Dort, in defensive half-court matchups against 2024 All-Star players.
Caruso will be eligible for a four-year, $80 million contract extension six months from the date of this trade. Entering the final year of his current contract, the Thunder are hopeful of retaining Caruso as a long-term integral part of their team.
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