Bulls trade Alex Caruso to OKC for Josh Giddey

[HomoSapien]

Trading Caruso does make sense. He's a very good role player, but he's often injured and now 30 years old. I don't mind that part. I think most people thought that trading with OKC would bring back draft pick(s). Giddey would be a 1st in this draft and he's still only 21, but I think a pick would have been guaranteed.

I think people think we'd get picks because its OKC and they have them is pretty silly. It's like thinking if you make a deal with a billionaire that they'll bend over just because they have lots of money instead of thinking they have lots of money because they don't make dumb deals.

Reaction around the league from every pundit I’ve listened to/read is shock that the Thunder didn’t have to include any picks. Bobby Marks said that he texted two GMs around the league about their reaction to the trade and both immediately asked what draft capital the Bulls got. I think the consensus out there is that the Bulls didn’t get as much for Caruso as they could have.

I like Giddey the player in a nutshell, but his trade value is at a all-time low whereas Caruso is an incredibly sought after player who is viewed as a needle mover. This may ultimately work out just fine for the Bulls, but the trade itself wasn’t good.

[HoopsterJones]

Just 1 FRP that OKC has in their war chest was all I would’ve asked for. Could’ve been OKC’s own FRP for next year with like pick 1-20 protection and slides to 2026 if it doesn’t convey. That would’ve made me feel that it was a good trade for both teams.

[Mk0]

Read on Twitter

OOF

I just don't know how this works out. The guy was on the #1 3pt shooting team last year. They played 5-out to the point that they didn't trade for a big man at the deadline to help their rebounding. They were THAT committed to stretching the floor.

Our spacing is going to be way worse than anything he has ever played with.

[chicago paxsons]

Trading Caruso does make sense. He's a very good role player, but he's often injured and now 30 years old. I don't mind that part. I think most people thought that trading with OKC would bring back draft pick(s). Giddey would be a 1st in this draft and he's still only 21, but I think a pick would have been guaranteed.

I think people think we'd get picks because its OKC and they have them is pretty silly. It's like thinking if you make a deal with a billionaire that they'll bend over just because they have lots of money instead of thinking they have lots of money because they don't make dumb deals.

Reaction around the league from all the pundits is shock that the Thunder didn’t have to include any picks. Bobby Marks said that he texted two GMs around the league about their reaction to the trade and both immediately asked what draft capital the Bulls got. I think the consensus out there is that the Bulls didn’t get as much for Caruso as most expected.

I like Giddey the player in a nutshell, but his trade value is at a all-time low whereas Caruso is an incredibly sought after player who is viewed as a needle mover. This may ultimately work out just fine for the Bulls, but the trade itself wasn’t good.

Giddey's value was lower, but so was caruso's since he's in a contract year. Okc isn't getting caruso for a cheap next contract like we did.

As far as those gms reactions, it's okc that set what they wanted to trade. Okc only got so many picks because they valued them so much, so i doubt other gms realize yet how hard it may be to pry picks from them. My guess is those gms would have "lost" their trades if they were in akme's position.

[Dez]

Read on Twitter

OOF

I just don't know how this works out. The guy was on the #1 3pt shooting team last year. They played 5-out to the point that they didn't trade for a big man at the deadline to help their rebounding. They were THAT committed to stretching the floor.

Our spacing is going to be way worse than anything he has ever played with.

This tweet is just so damn pointless, it literally means nothing.

Giddey has improved his 3 point percentage every year in the league, he's gone up 7.4% over his 3 years in the league.

26.3% 1st year
32.5% 2nd year
33.7% 3rd year

[HomoSapien]

I think people think we'd get picks because its OKC and they have them is pretty silly. It's like thinking if you make a deal with a billionaire that they'll bend over just because they have lots of money instead of thinking they have lots of money because they don't make dumb deals.

Reaction around the league from all the pundits is shock that the Thunder didn’t have to include any picks. Bobby Marks said that he texted two GMs around the league about their reaction to the trade and both immediately asked what draft capital the Bulls got. I think the consensus out there is that the Bulls didn’t get as much for Caruso as most expected.

I like Giddey the player in a nutshell, but his trade value is at a all-time low whereas Caruso is an incredibly sought after player who is viewed as a needle mover. This may ultimately work out just fine for the Bulls, but the trade itself wasn’t good.

Giddey's value was lower, but so was caruso's since he's in a contract year. Okc isn't getting caruso for a cheap next contract like we did.

As far as those gms reactions, it's okc that set what they wanted to trade. Okc only got so many picks because they valued them so much, so i doubt other gms realize yet how hard it may be to pry picks from them. My guess is those gms would have "lost" their trades if they were in akme's position.

People on this board keep bringing up AC being in a contract year but I don’t really see any evidence that it impacted his trade value significantly. It seems like he still was sought after.

[Dan Z]

Keep in mind that in a year Giddey will be up for a new contract. How much does he improve on the Bulls...? That remains to be seen. My guess is he slightly improves and then is on new contract that isn't so desirable. That's just my two cents and I'm not against this trade (I have mixed thoughts on it).

The contract situation is no different than Caruso. Both contracts end in the same season. Extra money to keep Giddey vs extra money extending a 32 year Caruso into his 32-36 age range. And we're in full control of Giddey's contract. Even if we match Caruso's next offer, he can just take another team's offer that will go farther in the playoffs. He admitted publically he was willing to stay in LA for less than money Chicago offered, that shows he's willing tp take less than the max offer for a longer playoff run. We can't even get past the play-in. Caruso is 100% a real flight risk.

I'm not comparing Caruso's contract situation with Giddey's. I understand why they traded Caruso and would prefer that they traded him for picks (the unknown) and that's the situation I'm talking about. I say this and I'm not completely against the Giddey trade, but I have mixed thoughts about it.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

I now hate the trade.

Giddey up!!! Ayo Silver, awaaaaaay!!!!!

...and now I hate Duck.

I'm actually Stacey King and I'm definitely going to use this thanks to Duck.

[MrSparkle]

I also could see Caruso being the better player in 4 years, fwiw. Giddey kind of seems like the type who’ll be out the league.

AK is really banking on this shooting coach. It’s borderline insanity. The best teams still shoot *very well* from atleast 4 positions on the floor.

[chicago paxsons]

Reaction around the league from all the pundits is shock that the Thunder didn’t have to include any picks. Bobby Marks said that he texted two GMs around the league about their reaction to the trade and both immediately asked what draft capital the Bulls got. I think the consensus out there is that the Bulls didn’t get as much for Caruso as most expected.

I like Giddey the player in a nutshell, but his trade value is at a all-time low whereas Caruso is an incredibly sought after player who is viewed as a needle mover. This may ultimately work out just fine for the Bulls, but the trade itself wasn’t good.

Giddey's value was lower, but so was caruso's since he's in a contract year. Okc isn't getting caruso for a cheap next contract like we did.

As far as those gms reactions, it's okc that set what they wanted to trade. Okc only got so many picks because they valued them so much, so i doubt other gms realize yet how hard it may be to pry picks from them. My guess is those gms would have "lost" their trades if they were in akme's position.

People on this board keep bringing up AC being in a contract year but I don’t really see any evidence that it impacted his trade value significantly. It seems like he still was sought after.

Sought after, yes of course, since he's an impactful player. The problem is that okc (or whoever would have traded for him) has 1 season with him on a cheap contract. If we traded him last year we would have gotten more since that's 2 postseason runs with caruso on a cheap contract.

The issue will be next year. What will caruso's value be next year? It will be more than what we paid. I wouldn't be surprised if caruso gets double per year than what he's getting now, maybe more (?). Will okc be willing to pay a 30 plus year old with an injury history a multiyear contract that isn't the bargain we got? Caruso might even choose to leave in the offseason if he gets a better offer. Then what for okc?

[Dan Z]

I think people think we'd get picks because its OKC and they have them is pretty silly. It's like thinking if you make a deal with a billionaire that they'll bend over just because they have lots of money instead of thinking they have lots of money because they don't make dumb deals.

Reaction around the league from all the pundits is shock that the Thunder didn’t have to include any picks. Bobby Marks said that he texted two GMs around the league about their reaction to the trade and both immediately asked what draft capital the Bulls got. I think the consensus out there is that the Bulls didn’t get as much for Caruso as most expected.

I like Giddey the player in a nutshell, but his trade value is at a all-time low whereas Caruso is an incredibly sought after player who is viewed as a needle mover. This may ultimately work out just fine for the Bulls, but the trade itself wasn’t good.

Giddey's value was lower, but so was caruso's since he's in a contract year. Okc isn't getting caruso for a cheap next contract like we did.

As far as those gms reactions, it's okc that set what they wanted to trade. Okc only got so many picks because they valued them so much, so i doubt other gms realize yet how hard it may be to pry picks from them. My guess is those gms would have "lost" their trades if they were in akme's position.

OKC could say no to adding picks and the Bulls could say no to doing the trade without them.

I've said this before, but I don't think AK values picks so he probably didn't even ask for them.

[CobysHairpick]

People like to point out that he was out of the rotation against Dallas in the WCF. OKC lost 4-2. Maybe they should've played him more?

[Dan Z]

Giddey's value was lower, but so was caruso's since he's in a contract year. Okc isn't getting caruso for a cheap next contract like we did.

As far as those gms reactions, it's okc that set what they wanted to trade. Okc only got so many picks because they valued them so much, so i doubt other gms realize yet how hard it may be to pry picks from them. My guess is those gms would have "lost" their trades if they were in akme's position.

People on this board keep bringing up AC being in a contract year but I don’t really see any evidence that it impacted his trade value significantly. It seems like he still was sought after.

Sought after, yes of course, since he's an impactful player. The problem is that okc (or whoever would have traded for him) has 1 season with him on a cheap contract. If we traded him last year we would have gotten more since that's 2 postseason runs with caruso on a cheap contract.

The issue will be next year. What will caruso's value be next year? It will be more than what we paid. I wouldn't be surprised if caruso gets double per year than what he's getting now, maybe more (?). Will okc be willing to pay a 30 plus year old with an injury history a multiyear contract that isn't the bargain we got? Caruso might even choose to leave in the offseason if he gets a better offer. Then what for okc?

If OKC didn't think Giddey was part of their future then even 1 playoff run with Caruso might be worth it.

When you mention Caruso's next contract you have to also mention that Giddey will be up for one too. It's possible that he gets overpaid too (due to age).

[Guru]

Reaction around the league from all the pundits is shock that the Thunder didn’t have to include any picks. Bobby Marks said that he texted two GMs around the league about their reaction to the trade and both immediately asked what draft capital the Bulls got. I think the consensus out there is that the Bulls didn’t get as much for Caruso as most expected.

I like Giddey the player in a nutshell, but his trade value is at a all-time low whereas Caruso is an incredibly sought after player who is viewed as a needle mover. This may ultimately work out just fine for the Bulls, but the trade itself wasn’t good.

Giddey's value was lower, but so was caruso's since he's in a contract year. Okc isn't getting caruso for a cheap next contract like we did.

As far as those gms reactions, it's okc that set what they wanted to trade. Okc only got so many picks because they valued them so much, so i doubt other gms realize yet how hard it may be to pry picks from them. My guess is those gms would have "lost" their trades if they were in akme's position.

OKC could say no to adding picks and the Bulls could say no to doing the trade without them.

I've said this before, but I don't think AK values picks so he probably didn't even ask for them.

Yeah I am sure he didn't ask for any picks...

[chicago paxsons]

Reaction around the league from all the pundits is shock that the Thunder didn’t have to include any picks. Bobby Marks said that he texted two GMs around the league about their reaction to the trade and both immediately asked what draft capital the Bulls got. I think the consensus out there is that the Bulls didn’t get as much for Caruso as most expected.

I like Giddey the player in a nutshell, but his trade value is at a all-time low whereas Caruso is an incredibly sought after player who is viewed as a needle mover. This may ultimately work out just fine for the Bulls, but the trade itself wasn’t good.

Giddey's value was lower, but so was caruso's since he's in a contract year. Okc isn't getting caruso for a cheap next contract like we did.

As far as those gms reactions, it's okc that set what they wanted to trade. Okc only got so many picks because they valued them so much, so i doubt other gms realize yet how hard it may be to pry picks from them. My guess is those gms would have "lost" their trades if they were in akme's position.

OKC could say no to adding picks and the Bulls could say no to doing the trade without them.

I've said this before, but I don't think AK values picks so he probably didn't even ask for them.

He's pretty much said as much, but even if he did try to get picks, threatened to end trade talks, i don't think we'd get more than 1 or 2 second round picks.

[Dez]

I also could see Caruso being the better player in 4 years, fwiw. Giddey kind of seems like the type who’ll be out the league.

AK is really banking on this shooting coach. It’s borderline insanity. The best teams still shoot *very well* from atleast 4 positions on the floor.

My God I'm going to have an aneurysm from the amount of stupid takes in this thread.

One more time.

26.3% 1st year
32.5% 2nd year
33.7% 3rd year

He's improved his shot every year.

[DropStep]

I think people think we'd get picks because its OKC and they have them is pretty silly. It's like thinking if you make a deal with a billionaire that they'll bend over just because they have lots of money instead of thinking they have lots of money because they don't make dumb deals.

While true, you would hope we would have a little more patience and perhaps leverage given they are one or two pieces away, and there is only one AC sized swiss army knife that fills one of those holes for them available....

This may actually be the end result of having patience, maybe even too much patience. Many are complaining that we didn't trade Caruso earlier, when a contender could have gotten two playoff runs out of him on his current contract. But, at the same time we should somehow have waited longer for Presti (or someone else) to fold and throw in a bunch of picks. I think AK has been getting squeezed trying to wait out other GMs for more value, as Caruso's contract gets shorter and shorter, and this is the moment when he felt like he couldn't wait any more.

I'm guessing AK has been holding out for Presti to throw in draft picks in addition to Giddey since at least February. Presti held firm, even after Giddey's playoff benching, since he's in no hurry whatsoever and actually has the leverage. AK felt like he couldn't wait any more to lock down his guy, which was holding up his other decisions/moves he needs to make this summer. Just a hunch, obviously.

[chicago paxsons]

People on this board keep bringing up AC being in a contract year but I don’t really see any evidence that it impacted his trade value significantly. It seems like he still was sought after.

Sought after, yes of course, since he's an impactful player. The problem is that okc (or whoever would have traded for him) has 1 season with him on a cheap contract. If we traded him last year we would have gotten more since that's 2 postseason runs with caruso on a cheap contract.

The issue will be next year. What will caruso's value be next year? It will be more than what we paid. I wouldn't be surprised if caruso gets double per year than what he's getting now, maybe more (?). Will okc be willing to pay a 30 plus year old with an injury history a multiyear contract that isn't the bargain we got? Caruso might even choose to leave in the offseason if he gets a better offer. Then what for okc?

If OKC didn't think Giddey was part of their future then even 1 playoff run with Caruso might be worth it.

When you mention Caruso's next contract you have to also mention that Giddey will be up for one too. It's possible that he gets overpaid too (due to age).

There's 2 big differences between caruso and giddeys contract situations though. Giddey is a rfa unlike caruso and, based on the reception of this trade, okc (or anyone) may have to overpay caruso more than we may have to overpay giddey.

[Hangtime84]

Read on Twitter

OOF

I just don't know how this works out. The guy was on the #1 3pt shooting team last year. They played 5-out to the point that they didn't trade for a big man at the deadline to help their rebounding. They were THAT committed to stretching the floor.

Our spacing is going to be way worse than anything he has ever played with.

him and vooch are going to be great

[DropStep]

I think people think we'd get picks because its OKC and they have them is pretty silly. It's like thinking if you make a deal with a billionaire that they'll bend over just because they have lots of money instead of thinking they have lots of money because they don't make dumb deals.

While true, you would hope we would have a little more patience and perhaps leverage given they are one or two pieces away, and there is only one AC sized swiss army knife that fills one of those holes for them available....

This may actually be the end result of having patience, maybe even too much patience. Many are complaining that we didn't trade Caruso earlier, when a contender could have gotten two playoff runs out of him on his current contract. But, at the same time we should somehow have waited longer for Presti (or someone else) to fold and throw in a bunch of picks. I think AK has been getting squeezed trying to wait out other GMs for more value, as Caruso's contract gets shorter and shorter, and this the moment when he felt like he couldn't wait any more.

I'm guessing AK has been holding out for Presti to throw in draft picks in addition to Giddey since at least February. Presti held firm, even after Giddey's playoff benching, since he's in no hurry whatsoever and actually has the leverage. AK felt like he couldn't wait any more to lock down his guy, which was holding up his other decisions/moves he needs to make this summer. Just a hunch, obviously.

Assuming that's true, I do wonder if Presti now wishes he caved and got Caruso for the playoffs that just ended. He certainly would have been more valuable than Giddey in that last series. Could it have made a difference?