The Chicago Bulls went all-in to build a title-contending team around NBA All-Star Zach LaVine. While the team had some feel-good moments last season, with DeMar DeRozan often pulling through with clutch heroics, they are nowhere near their intended goal.
With a 22-26 record and the need to make a decision about Nikola Vucevic’s future, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent, the Bulls may want to tear their team apart ahead of the NBA trade deadline. Among the players with trade value to monitor is Alex Caruso.
In a recent mailbag article from NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson, it was mentioned that the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors are two teams that could potentially trade for Caruso.
The vultures are circling. Multiple teams have inquired about Alex Caruso, per sources. The Knicks have scouted Caruso of late and own first-round picks that could be dangled with a contract like Obi Toppin if the Bulls show any inclination of trading their defensive ace. The Golden State Warriors also are cited by league sources as a potential suitor.
Caruso may be averaging just 5.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 24.6 minutes per game, but his impact goes beyond counting stats. He is known as being one of the peskiest on-ball defenders in the NBA while still being capable of knocking down some open 3-pointers within the flow of the offense.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks & Golden State Warriors Updates
For a team that likes to play hard-nosed defense under coach Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks make sense as being a natural trade suitor for Caruso. At 6-foot-5, Caruso could play alongside the smaller Jalen Brunson with RJ Barrett and Julius Randle in the unit.
It remains to be seen what the Knicks would actually send out in exchange for Caruso in a potential trade. What does help New York’s potential pursuit is their collection of first-round picks, including the Dallas Mavericks’ 2023 pick, which puts them in a rare position — being a win-now team with extra assets to work with at the deadline.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks & Golden State Warriors Updates
The Warriors do have young players to send out in a potential trade, but it would possibly take some pride to be swallowed before they would commit to trading former lottery picks in exchange for a veteran role player.
