Bulls Taking Firm Stance on Alex Caruso as Trade Rumors Intensify, per Report

The Bulls are taking a strong-armed approach to Alex Caruso trade calls.

The Bulls have been at the center of the NBA trade rumor mill in recent weeks, with names like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso as the headliners. But it appears while Chicago may be willing to hit the reset button and make a few deals, one of those names is off limits, at least for now—Caruso.

With LaVine widely expected to be moved at some point, barring a surprising plot twist, it’s Caruso who the Bulls are effectively hanging up the phone over when trade calls come in, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

There has been a “bevy of teams” expressing interest in Caruso, but the Bulls have “shut down those calls,” according to Charania. It appears that Chicago either wants to keep Caruso as a piece of its core moving forward or that they’re willing to let his value continue to increase ahead of the trade deadline.

Caruso averages 9.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists this season but has been as close to the perfect definition of a “glue guy” who can do virtually everything during his three seasons in Chicago.

The Bulls and the Raptors will be the primary teams to monitor as the Feb. 8 trade deadline draws near. But for now, expect Chicago to take its time and let things unfold before any major deals come together.