There have been indications this season that the Chicago Bulls value veteran guard Alex Caruso in a major way, and the latest reporting on the 29-year-old seems to suggest more of the same.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Bulls would likely want multiple first-round picks in order to consider parting ways with Caruso.
“Alex Caruso would mark a dream outcome for the [Milwaukee] Bucks, but Chicago has indicated the Bulls would need multiple first-round picks to even consider parting with Caruso, according to league sources, if Chicago even truly considers moving him at all,” wrote Fischer.
At 21-24, the Bulls have underwhelmed this season, but they are currently in play-in territory in the Eastern Conference with the No. 9 seed.
Caruso is under contract through next season, so the Bulls don’t necessarily need to make a decision on his future right away. However, if they want to maximize his trade value, they’d probably be wise to find a deal for him before this season’s deadline.
The one-time NBA champion is evolving into a major threat from beyond the arc, and he has already established himself as a strong defender. As a result, he’s becoming an elite 3-and-D player, and he also brings a lot to the table outside of the box score.
Caruso is in his third season with the Bulls. He’s averaging 9.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 49.1 percent from the field and 42.0 percent from deep. Last season, he earned an All-Defensive nod for the first time in his career.
His value is likely at an all-time high, though it may be a stretch to think that a team would be willing to part with multiple first-round picks in exchange for a role player. He may find himself with the Bulls past the trade deadline based on the way things are currently looking.
Chicago has a talented roster, but the squad hasn’t been able to put it all together, and many folks feel like it’s time for the franchise to move in a different direction. With the trade deadline set for Feb. 8 this season, the next couple of weeks could be pivotal for the future of the organization. The Bulls haven’t won a playoff series since the 2014-15 campaign.
