In a day filled with breaking news across the NBA, the West's top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder are acquiring guard Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls.
In return, the Bulls are receiving wing Josh Giddey, who was drafted No. 6 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.
BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are trading two-time All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for guard Josh Giddey, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/V3t12MA3Uo
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2024
Caruso is a major addition for the Thunder, adding another top-tier backcourt defender to their lineup. He averaged 10.1 points, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 steals on 46.8% shooting in 28.7 minutes last season. His defense earned him a spot on the NBA's All-Defensive Second Team for the second time in his career. Meanwhile, Giddey dealt with off-court controversy last season, averaging 12.3 points and 6.4 rebounds on 47.5% shooting in 80 games.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news, adding that Chicago's front office has been determined to acquire playmaking in place of the injured Lonzo Ball.
"The Bulls have been determined to find a playmaker to replace Lonzo Ball, and Giddey , 21, comes with an All-Star potential that would unlikely be realized with the Thunder because of the playmaking starpower who surrounded him," Wojnarowski wrote. "The Bulls will offer him an opportunity to have the ball in his hands and so much more freedom pass and score."
If the Thunder weren't already one of the league's top three championship contenders, the addition of Caruso without a doubt puts them over the hump.
