There’s a question that a lot of NBA fans have been asking over the last couple of years: what should the Toronto Raptors do? It’s not that this team is in a bad position.
They’re simply in a bit of a conflicted, confusing one. The Raptors have a lot of talent, but it isn’t all on the same page. There are significant age differences between them and some overlapping skills as well.
So for some, the path forward has been obvious. They’d argue that the Raptors should trade Pascal SIakam and rebuild around Scottie Barnes.
To be sure, there are some redundancies between the pair. If the Raptors are choosing between them, they’ll clearly choose Barnes. He’s much younger, and in all likelihood, he’s the future of this organization.
At the same time, the Raptors have looked surprisingly solid this year. Sure, they’re .500, but the Raptors have lost some games that they should have won. They’ve also beaten some teams that were supposed to beat them. Suddenly, the Raptors could consider shifting into win now mode.
Could acquiring Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls help them make that shift?
NBA Trade Proposal: Toronto Raptors Land Chicago Bulls’ Alex Caruso
Chicago Bulls Receive: F/C Thaddeus Young, G Malachi Flynn, 2026 First-Round Pick (TOR), 2028 First-Round Pick (TOR)
Toronto Raptors Receive: G/F Alex Caruso
On the other hand, sometimes, teams just need a change. It could be that the Raptors are benefiting from some changes that they made this summer. They acquired a new head coach, and so far, the offense looks good.
The Raptors are moving the ball more quickly than they had throughout last season. With that said, the Raptors dealt with another change as well. Fred VanVleet left the team for the Houston Rockets.
Instinctually, one would assume that would be a negative change for the Raptors. VanVleet is an outstanding floor general and a strong defender.
Yet, he does have a tendency to launch some questionable threes off the dribble. Could this be a case of addition by subtraction?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors Updates
It could be. On the other hand, the Rockets certainly look stronger for having acquired VanVleet. Like we said – sometimes, teams just need a change.
Could acquiring Caruso be the change that gets the Raptors back into title contention?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
This would be a bold move for the Raptors. We’re honestly not sure about it. The best course of action for this team may still be to move Siakam, acquire some assets, and build around Barnes.
Sure. On the other hand, that’s an easier pill for us to swallow than it will be for the Raptors. This team hasn’t undergone a true rebuild in a very long time.
The Raptors have typically opted to remain competitive. They’ll need to increase their guard depth if they want to continue that trend. As constructed, the Raptors have a lot of quality frontcourt players but very little in the backcourt.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors Updates
They also have a defensive identity. So, adding Caruso makes sense – he may be the best defensive guard in the league. The Raptors should have elite stopping powers following this deal, and Caruso is shooting a career-best percentage from long-range.
Should the Bulls move on from their elite defensive guard?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
The Raptors aren’t the only team that fans are asking questions about. If there’s one team that looks more likely to blow it up, it’s the Bulls.
Unlike the Raptors, they’ve given their fans little to feel optimistic about in 2023-24. It’s time for the Raptors to rebuild. Caruso would be their most valuable trade chip behind Zach LaVine. He should be able to net them a pair of first-round picks on the open market.
So, that’s what we’ve got them receiving here. Otherwise, Young is on an expiring deal – that should appeal to Chicago as well. Adding Flynn might as well. He’s young enough to be part of a rebuild, and he’s flashed some potential throughout this season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors Updates
Still, the main intention for the Bulls here is to pick up some draft capital. If nothing else, Chicago can finally answer some questions about their direction.
