There’s an old adage in the NBA: defense wins championships. Recently, it’s felt like teams have foregone that wisdom. More than ever, NBA teams build with offense in mind. Teams are putting up more points now than they ever have in history.
Yet, in all likelihood, the eventual champions will be a two-way team. Sure, you prioritize offense if you’re forced to pick a direction. The best teams will play on both sides of the ball.
This is something that the Oklahoma City Thunder understand. After all, they’ve built their current roster with two-way play squarely in mind.
The Thunder’s offense runs through Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Chet Holmgren is their defensive anchor. Could they strengthen their stopping power by acquiring Alex Caruso of the Chicago Bulls?
NBA Trade Proposal: Oklahoma City Thunder Land Chicago Bulls’ Alex Caruso
Chicago Bulls Receive: F/C Aleksej Pokusevski, G/F Ousmane Dieng, 2025 First-Round Pick (Top 6 Protected – PHI via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: G/F Alex Caruso
That’s not the debate about how to build a contender. There’s a question of what type of team you want to build, but there are also questions about how you should build it. If you looked at these two teams alone, you’d be forced to draw one conclusion about that debate.
After all, the Thunder are the epitome of a homegrown product. They aren’t contenders yet, but around the NBA, it seems to be a consensus that they’re on their way.
By contrast, the Bulls tried to assemble this team through free agency and the trade market. It’s gone poorly. The Bulls have fallen well short of contention, and now, they’re widely expected to start rebuilding this season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Does that automatically mean that a homegrown contender is better? We wouldn’t go that far. A wider view of the league’s history will show you various routes to success. Still, with the Denver Nuggets’ recent title run, it does feel like the league is trending towards more organic building.
Should the Bulls get started on their next rebuild by moving Caruso?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
Obviously, this is a small piece of Chicago’s puzzle. Caruso is a fantastic player, but he won’t have the most trade value on this team. The real work begins with moving Zach LaVine.
Still, moving Caruso would be a big step. It’s one that Chicago ought to make. Caruso is approaching his 30s – he’s not going to be part of this team’s long-term vision. What should they expect in return for the ace defensive guard?
Firstly, they should be looking at future-focused pieces. Here, they’re landing a pair of intriguing young players in Pokusevski and Dieng. They’re each versatile players with high ceilings – and low floors.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
That shouldn’t matter to Chicago. This team should be happy to gamble on upside. Should the Thunder lower their long-term ceiling?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
Some Thunder fans will question this decision. To be sure, they already have a starting backcourt. With that said, Josh Giddey has struggled throughout this season.
As a ball-dominant playmaker, it’s possible that he’s not an ideal fit alongside Gilgeous-Alexander. Even then, a more optimal fit would likely be a better shooter than Caruso.
Here’s the counterargument: none of that matters. Caruso is arguably the best defensive guard in the NBA. By adding him, the Thunder would become a much better team.
Meanwhile, Pokusevki and Dieng have both been relegated to the G-League at times throughout this season. It feels as if the Thunder’s rebuild has moved on from them both.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
If the front offices agrees, they might as well move them for a defensive stud – after all, the game is played on both ends.
