The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for All-NBA defender Alex Caruso on Thursday afternoon.
Giddey, 21, averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists on 48 percent shooting in 2023-2024. He will provide the Bulls with another playmaker, something that they do need in the absence of Lonzo Ball.
Caruso, who was made second team all-defense in 2024 and first team all-defense in 2023, allows for a smoother dynamic in the Thunder lineup. Giddey, as a ball handling playmaker, was in a difficult situation in Oklahoma City with MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking the reins of the team. Caruso gives the Thunder lineup an additional athlete who is offensively inclined, and can shoot from deep but does not need the ball in his hands. The 30-year-old averaged 10.1 points in 2023-2024 and shot 41 percent from three-point range.
With Caruso and Lu Dort in the fold, the Thunder have two of the best defensive guards in the NBA. General Manager Sam Presti also has a wealth of draft picks - 31 picks from 2024 until 2030 that are either the Thunder’s own, pick swaps, or protections - to make additional moves if he chooses.
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