The Chicago Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder made a trade on Thursday, swapping guards Alex Caruso and Josh Giddey, respectively, according to ESPN.
The trade gives the Thunder one of the best two-way guards around, as Caruso has established himself as a solid role player in Chicago.
According to ESPN, Caruso was someone Thunder general manager Sam Presti had “long pursued” during the team’s run as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference last season.
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Alex Caruso of the Chicago Bulls plays against the Toronto Raptors during the 2023 Play-In Tournament at Scotiabank Arena on April 12, 2023 in Toronto. (Andrew Lahodinsky/Getty Images)
Caruso is known for his defensive skills, having been named to the All-Defensive Team twice in his seven NBA seasons, including to the All-Defensive Second Team last season after averaging 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.
Caruso, who won the NBA championship in 2020 with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaged career-highs of 10.1 points, 3.5 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 71 games (57 starts) last season.
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The 30-year-old joins a group of rising stars that includes point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and forward Chet Holmgren and certainly has a chance to be a force in the West again next season.
Meanwhile, the 21-year-old Guidi who was traded has shown similar promise on both ends of the court and has the potential to put up a triple-double every time he steps on the court.
Josh Giddey of the Oklahoma City Thunder controls the ball during the first half of a game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on Nov. 12, 2023 in Phoenix. (Kelsey Grant/Getty Images)
The No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, the Australian native is a true playmaker when he has the ball in his hands. He can shoot, drive, has great court vision and can create opportunities for his teammates. His role with the Thunder makes sense when you consider “SGA” and Holmgren’s shot attempts.
With guard Lonzo Ball still unable to take the court in Chicago, the Bulls have been searching for a replacement, and ESPN adds that Guidi will get the opportunity to become the two-way guard they’ve been looking for.
Guidi appeared in a career-high 80 games last season, averaging 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
The Chicago Bulls sent Alex Caruso (left) to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey. (Getty Images)
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One notable aspect of the trade for the Thunder is that Caruso is eligible for a four-year, $80 million contract extension in six months. He is in the final year of his contract, but according to ESPN, the Thunder signed the deal in hopes of keeping him around long-term.
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