The Thunder and the Bulls recently made a trade involving Josh Giddey and Alex Caruso. The 21-year-old Giddey had requested a trade from the Thunder after the team planned to use him off the bench. Thunder GM Sam Presti explained that they wanted to maximize Giddey’s talents by having him come off the bench, but Giddey expressed interest in exploring other opportunities.
Giddey, a point guard from Australia, had a challenging season where his numbers dropped, and he lost his starting job in the playoffs. Despite facing scrutiny on the road due to false accusations, both the police and the NBA investigations found no evidence of any wrongdoing. Giddey, the No. 6 overall pick in 2021, made the All-Rookie second team and is known for his exceptional passing and rebounding abilities.
On the other hand, Alex Caruso, a point guard and shooting guard, was undrafted in 2016 and has made a name for himself as a defensive presence during his time with the Lakers and the Bulls. The 30-year-old has career averages of 6.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists. He was part of the all-defense first team in 2023 and the second team in 2024.
Presti praised Caruso as a player with a multi-dimensional skill set and a great teammate, making him a valuable addition to the Thunder. The trade also involved Cason Wallace, a second-team All-Rookie selection, adding depth to the team’s point guard position.
It will be interesting to see how the trade benefits both teams in the upcoming season. Giddey will have a fresh start in Chicago, while Caruso brings his experience and defensive prowess to Oklahoma City. Fans can look forward to seeing how these players contribute to their new teams and the impact they will have on the court.