Bulls trade Alex Caruso to OKC for Josh Giddey

[Dez]

I like Giddey but would have chosen #12 in a heartbeat, there's some very interesting players in this draft who'll be available at this spot.

In one of the worst drafts in the last 30 years? No way.

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Not so sure this draft is that bad.

You're just saying things to say things.

Many people who get paid to watch and analyse drafts have called it weak, why aren't you sure the draft isn't as bad as they are saying?

[Dan Z]

I like Giddey but would have chosen #12 in a heartbeat, there's some very interesting players in this draft who'll be available at this spot.

In one of the worst drafts in the last 30 years? No way.

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Not so sure this draft is that bad.

I've said this before...there are always a few good players in every draft. The difficult thing is finding them.

[step]

Read on Twitter

Was just about to make this post. He can't spot up. At all. He's like Vuc at his position. Maybe he improves, but bro, we are starting from a bad spot. I guess Lonzo learned to shoot...here's hoping.

Caruso career playoff 3pt% 30.1
Giddey 35%

Caruso, one regular season at 10ppg
Giddey, 12, 17, 12

Giddey defensive team awards: 0
Caruso: 2

As for 3 point shooting:
Caruso for the only playoff series with the Bulls: 38.8%
And his regular 3P FG% has gone from 33.3% to 40.8% on near 5 attempts per game with the Bulls.
Giddey's is 33.7% on only 3 attempts per game.
And what's left a sour taste for many is Giddey's 18% vs Dallas.

Stats on their own without any context are just so bleh. Someone probably has the figures of shot types (spot up, transition etc), but I think the thoughts of many are that we are a poor 3P shooting team and this trade doesn't change that.

I for one would love to see a big leap from Giddey and hope he turns into another Aussie example of Exum.... vs say Simmons.

[TheJordanRule]

I dunno about this trade...I sway back and forth

Why I don't like it
- the rumors we could have gotten really good picks EARLIER
- Caruso is obviously a team first guy and plays hard every freaking day
- Giddy MIGHT be one of those players who gets stats but actually isn't that good at the team sport of Basketball, or at least winning basketball
- His D is apparently very pedestrian
- We might have to resign Giddy sooner than I would like for more than I would like

Why I like this trade
- We weren't going to resign Caruso
- He's getting old for a hustle first kind of guy
- Giddy does everything DECENT, even his 3 ball at times is DECENT
- Giddy is a young pup at 21
- He does appear to be a very creative passer, something we lack in spades

The optimal outcome, as I am sure many have expressed, would have been picks picks picks picks picks. There is no comparison. Picks would have been better than Giddy

It is possible this was the best offer? But it is also possible this was a preferred outcome for this FO? Which would be unfortunate

This is a VERY meh trade.....Not that Giddy sucks? But that it really doesn't make much sense for THIS team at THIS time

I hope you're joking. The optimal outcome would have been low percentage picks? Those picks would have likely been worthless. How many picks picks picks have we been through... The draft pick system basically doesn't work aside from the very first, top pick in a draft. Draft Picks are overhyped because you're asking a GM to use his imagination and predict how a nonNBA player is gonna do in the world's most competitive basketball league. Good luck.

[SirKaiser]

I like Giddey but would have chosen #12 in a heartbeat, there's some very interesting players in this draft who'll be available at this spot.

In one of the worst drafts in the last 30 years? No way.

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Not so sure this draft is that bad.

I don't think it's that bad either but I still like Giddey as a 21 year old prospect more than most in this draft. Plus, have you seen who was taken ahead of him in 2020?

Maybe he just needs a change of scenery in the same way that Markkanen did.

[Infinity2152]

Lot being made of Giddey's shooting at 19,20,21 years old. Caruso's first year, he was older than Giddey is now and shot 30% from 3. In his 7 years, he's shot 30.2, 33.3, 33.3, and 36.4 in 4 of those 7, or most of his career. Mostly against bench players. Would imagine most NBA players will be better shooters in their mid-late 20's, as opposed to 19.

[Dan Z]

I dunno about this trade...I sway back and forth

Why I don't like it
- the rumors we could have gotten really good picks EARLIER
- Caruso is obviously a team first guy and plays hard every freaking day
- Giddy MIGHT be one of those players who gets stats but actually isn't that good at the team sport of Basketball, or at least winning basketball
- His D is apparently very pedestrian
- We might have to resign Giddy sooner than I would like for more than I would like

Why I like this trade
- We weren't going to resign Caruso
- He's getting old for a hustle first kind of guy
- Giddy does everything DECENT, even his 3 ball at times is DECENT
- Giddy is a young pup at 21
- He does appear to be a very creative passer, something we lack in spades

The optimal outcome, as I am sure many have expressed, would have been picks picks picks picks picks. There is no comparison. Picks would have been better than Giddy

It is possible this was the best offer? But it is also possible this was a preferred outcome for this FO? Which would be unfortunate

This is a VERY meh trade.....Not that Giddy sucks? But that it really doesn't make much sense for THIS team at THIS time

I hope you're joking. The optimal outcome would have been low percentage picks? Those picks would have likely been worthless. How many picks picks picks have we been through... The draft pick system basically doesn't work aside from the very first, top pick in a draft. Draft Picks are overhyped because you're asking a GM to use his imagination and predict how a nonNBA player is gonna do in the world's most competitive basketball league. Good luck.

I'm with Waffle. The Bulls still have to find their franchise player and I'd rather have more chances at that than Josh Giddey.

Giddey is a decent player and is still young with potential. But how far will he take the Bulls? Lets say you take last years team and switch Giddey with Caruso? Are they better? Worse? I'd say slightly worse.

Now consider this year. Maybe Giddey improves a bit (hopefully he does...I think he will). If they bring back DDR do they make the playoffs? Lose in the first round?

Or if they don't re-sign DDR are they a lottery team again? Hopefully not #11 because that means the 2025 pick goes to the Spurs.

[PaKii94]

This trade also just absolutely solidified the living **** out of the fact that Vuc needs to either be gone this summer or in a significantly reduced role.

This was already the case but is heavily amplified now due to the defensive downgrade that the trade results in. And I see Giddey finding open shooters, cutters and lob guys much more than I see him finding Vuc for a 40% post up attempt.

Giddey and Vuc could coexist and maybe be effective for 15 mpg off the bench if they are flanked by 3 outright good defenders only.

I actually see the opposite. I feel like this solidifies Vuc here. I can see them trying to make him a hub again flanked by Giddey/Coby/Ayo/PWill

[SfBull]

In one of the worst drafts in the last 30 years? No way.

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Not so sure this draft is that bad.

You're just saying things to say things.

Many people who get paid to watch and analyse drafts have called it weak, why aren't you sure the draft isn't as bad as they are saying?

Because I watched some players likely to be available at #11 of this current draft and for they aren't that worse than recent drafts .I'm not talking about the top 5 prospects.

[SfBull]

In one of the worst drafts in the last 30 years? No way.

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Not so sure this draft is that bad.

I don't think it's that bad either but I still like Giddey as a 21 year old prospect more than most in this draft. Plus, have you seen who was taken ahead of him in 2020?

Maybe he just needs a change of scenery in the same way that Markkanen did.

If having to choose between Giddey and a #12 ,I'd go for the pick,but this is me ,I always liked the chance of getting a sleepy franchise player from the draft.
I really like Giddey having watched him playing well for OKC and I think this was a good trade for us.I just hope AK keeps our pick drafting BPA ,can be a SF or a 4/5 who can defend well, I' m high on Carter but don't believe AK will get a guard after this trade.

[Dez]

Not so sure this draft is that bad.

You're just saying things to say things.

Many people who get paid to watch and analyse drafts have called it weak, why aren't you sure the draft isn't as bad as they are saying?

Because I watched some players likely to be available at #11 of this current draft and for they aren't that worse than recent drafts .I'm not talking about the top 5 prospects.

How much of these players have you seen? Again people paid to watch every game these guys play both live and on film have said this draft is weak.

[SfBull]

Not so sure this draft is that bad.

You're just saying things to say things.

Many people who get paid to watch and analyse drafts have called it weak, why aren't you sure the draft isn't as bad as they are saying?

Because I watched some players likely to be available at #11 of this current draft and for they aren't that worse than recent drafts .I'm not talking about the top 5 prospects.

How many times did you read /watch Specialists talking about how strong a prospect could be and be wrong?
And what makes this draft so weak?Is that weaker than 2000's ?? Really?
I can be talking a lot of garbage here but I believe that NBA's globalization changed the scenery a bit meaning that these generalizations about drafts being strong or weak perhaps aren't that true .I never was and never will be a draft specialist ,just a guy who really likes to evaluate and follow drafting prospects not having specialist 's time and resources for following them.
I just don't get this draft being that weak.

[SfBull]

You're just saying things to say things.

Many people who get paid to watch and analyse drafts have called it weak, why aren't you sure the draft isn't as bad as they are saying?

Because I watched some players likely to be available at #11 of this current draft and for they aren't that worse than recent drafts .I'm not talking about the top 5 prospects.

How much of these players have you seen? Again people paid to watch every game these guys play both live and on film have said this draft is weak.

,
Unfortunately didn't have time for watching more than postseason videos which can be biased of course so the specialists likely are right .I won't be disputing their opinion as it'd be ridiculous at the end but having watched many drafts before I had seen really good players drafted from supposedly weak drafts in the past .

[SfBull]

More people questioning the weakness of upcoming draft.
https://youtu.be/nJxPe0jR2xU?si=tSd9qPc8ZN9pPduy

[boozapalooza]

Was just about to make this post. He can't spot up. At all. He's like Vuc at his position. Maybe he improves, but bro, we are starting from a bad spot. I guess Lonzo learned to shoot...here's hoping.

Caruso career playoff 3pt% 30.1
Giddey 35%

Caruso, one regular season at 10ppg
Giddey, 12, 17, 12

Giddey defensive team awards: 0
Caruso: 2

As for 3 point shooting:
Caruso for the only playoff series with the Bulls: 38.8%
And his regular 3P FG% has gone from 33.3% to 40.8% on near 5 attempts per game with the Bulls.
Giddey's is 33.7% on only 3 attempts per game.
And what's left a sour taste for many is Giddey's 18% vs Dallas.

Stats on their own without any context are just so bleh. Someone probably has the figures of shot types (spot up, transition etc), but I think the thoughts of many are that we are a poor 3P shooting team and this trade doesn't change that.

I for one would love to see a big leap from Giddey and hope he turns into another Aussie example of Exum.... vs say Simmons.

Caruso age: 30
Giddey age: 21

There is still time and opportunity for Josh to develop his shot. Clearly the Bulls are confident in their ability to improve his game in that area. Today coming off of last year, yeah sure Caruso is the better player, but hes 9 years ahead of Giddey. And Giddey year 2 showed enough where I would take that guy over Caruso in a heartbeat.

[boozapalooza]

The more this trade marinates for me, I really like the Giddey acquisition. His season was toast after the allegations came down. Getting booed in every arena and public enemy #1 at every turn. Thats impossible situation for any 21 year old, especially for one playing in a country that is foreign to him. Clearly he needs a fresh start and change of scenery, this is a great opportunity to buy low.

We traded 1 year of AC and I’m glad we did because no thanks to paying him 4/100 after this season. People are talking about Caruso like hes the second coming of Gary Payton. Prior to last year, OKC wouldve hung up the phone if we offered 1 year of Caruso for Giddey.

Disappointed we didnt get any draft capital from OKC’s warchest but not the end of the world. If Giddey can develop his shot, hes got star potential, now lets see if this coaching staff can help get him there.

[kulaz3000]

Watch on YouTube

[kulaz3000]

Watch on YouTube

A pretty fair and balanced discussion about the trade.

Apparently, according to one of the hosts, Josh is excited about the trade and fit with the Bulls.

[WindyCityBorn]

This trade also just absolutely solidified the living **** out of the fact that Vuc needs to either be gone this summer or in a significantly reduced role.

This was already the case but is heavily amplified now due to the defensive downgrade that the trade results in. And I see Giddey finding open shooters, cutters and lob guys much more than I see him finding Vuc for a 40% post up attempt.

Giddey and Vuc could coexist and maybe be effective for 15 mpg off the bench if they are flanked by 3 outright good defenders only.

I actually see the opposite. I feel like this solidifies Vuc here. I can see them trying to make him a hub again flanked by Giddey/Coby/Ayo/PWill

Giddey has to the ball to be maximized. Vuc might stick arouhd, but he won’t be a he focal point of the offense. He is nearly washed up and everyone can see it. Getting rid of him for a young rim protector has to a priority. Does any player potentially available at #11 fit that profile?

[SfBull]

This trade also just absolutely solidified the living **** out of the fact that Vuc needs to either be gone this summer or in a significantly reduced role.

This was already the case but is heavily amplified now due to the defensive downgrade that the trade results in. And I see Giddey finding open shooters, cutters and lob guys much more than I see him finding Vuc for a 40% post up attempt.

Giddey and Vuc could coexist and maybe be effective for 15 mpg off the bench if they are flanked by 3 outright good defenders only.

I actually see the opposite. I feel like this solidifies Vuc here. I can see them trying to make him a hub again flanked by Giddey/Coby/Ayo/PWill

Giddey has to the ball to be maximized. Vuc might stick arouhd, but he won’t be a he focal point of the offense. He is nearly washed up and everyone can see it. Getting rid of him for a young rim protector has to a priority. Does any player potentially available at #11 fit that profile?

Holmes and Ware .