The Dallas Mavericks have to be pleased with the results of the 2023-24 NBA season so far. This team looks like a bonafide title contender.
Moreover, they may not even be done building their roster. At least, on paper, the Mavericks look incomplete. They’ve got the most important pieces.
Between Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks have ample offensive talent. Now, Dallas needs to flesh out the roster around their star duo.
What do they need? A little bit of everything. On some level, the Mavericks simply need to add depth. This team needs a better-supporting cast, period.
Could they assemble it by acquiring Alex Caruso of the Chicago Bulls?
NBA Trade Proposal: Dallas Mavericks Land Chicago Bulls’ Alex Caruso
Chicago Bulls Receive: C Richaun Holmes, 2027 First-Round Pick (DAL)
Dallas Mavericks Receive: G/F Alex Caruso, C Andre Drummond
By contrast, the Bulls cannot be satisfied. At least they’re self-aware. By all accounts, this team is open to moving Zach LaVine. This is a moment that some NBA fans have been anticipating for a long time.
What happened here? Is there a lesson that opposing NBA teams can learn? There may be a couple. The Bulls weren’t ready to shift into win-now mode, and they did it anyway.
This team sunk all of their assets into Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan, and they’ve got little to show for it. Is it vital for a team to wait for the moment to put a contender together?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Perhaps. Alternatively, it may simply be that the Bulls didn’t have an elite superstar. The lesson there is that teams shouldn’t view themselves as potential contenders without a true franchise player. With that said, the Mavericks have one of those.
Is Caruso the right player to complement Doncic?
Why The Dallas Mavericks Do The Deal
We think so. Some will disagree. The Mavericks are built around their starry backcourt. Why are they acquiring another guard?
Expand your mind. This is the positionless NBA. Caruso isn’t simply a guard. He can play the 3 for stretches. He can also play both guard spots, which will allow him to get plenty of minutes off the bench.
The Mavericks are acquiring Caruso because he’s perhaps the best defensive guard in the league, and he’s having a career-best year from range.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks Updates
Meanwhile, the acquisition of Drummond is solid as well. He’ll be an upgrade over Dwight Powell and Holmes, and Dallas could use a stronger presence on the glass.
Should the Bulls part with their veteran big man?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
That’s a misleading question. The real question is whether the Bulls ought to part with Caruso. The answer is yes. This team is about to begin a rebuild. They need assets over in-prime role players.
The only interest that the Bulls have here is in the Mavericks’ first-round pick. They shouldn’t strictly be shopping Caruso – the Bulls should be moving everyone.
They need to amass as much draft capital as they can between now and the trade deadline. They shouldn’t mind taking on Holmes, either. His contract is manageable, and who knows?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks Updates
The Bulls could move him for a handful of second-round picks if they can showcase him. In the long term, this deal could help them have a satisfying season down the line.
