Alex Caruso will remain in Chicago, claims an NBA insider

Caruso may not be heading anywhere at the trade deadline.
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Nearly every NBA team is interested in acquiring Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso. After all, a player of Caruso’s ilk—a relentless defender who almost always makes the right play—is a dire need for teams serious about hoisting an NBA title. 

But for the Bulls, who have struggled to make the playoffs in recent years, keeping Caruso is a top priority. According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, for all the interest AC has garnered this trade deadline, he might be staying put in the Windy City.

Prized asset

The records show that Caruso was a member of the All-Defensive First Team last season—a feat he long deserved. However, what he brings to the table goes beyond statistics. Despite not being a star player, the 29-year-old is considered one of the most prized players in the league due to his versatile skill set and ability to impact games on both ends of the court.

On defense, Caruso has made a name for himself as a tenacious defender who can guard multiple positions and disrupt opposing offenses with his quick hands and impeccable timing. He also possesses a high basketball IQ, often making crucial defensive rotations and anticipating plays before they happen—something he showcased on this play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

“Virtually every win-now team (or even win-now hopeful) might have an interest in the 2022-23 All-Defensive first-teamer. He's an easy fit and versatile, energetic contributor on both ends, and his $9.5 million salary is one of the best non-rookie-scale pay rates around,” Buckley wrote.

Has plans to remain competitive

The Bulls may not soon compete for an NBA title, but it doesn’t mean they don’t want to be a competitive team. Keeping Caruso will go a long way toward achieving that goal. Although the Bulls have reportedly set an asking price of two first-round draft picks for Caruso, Buckley shared that the team may still not let Caruso go even if the team is willing to bite.

“Someone might actually be willing to meet that price—it probably hinges on the draft years (the upcoming class doesn't get real rave reviews) and protections on the picks—but even then, it's hard to see the Bulls letting him go. They clearly value what he brings, and while they could do some selective selling at the deadline, nothing suggests they've given up on the idea of competing sooner rather than later,” Buckley remarked.

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Nick Raguz
NICK RAGUZ

Nick's journey has been an exciting fusion of basketball and the written word. A former basketball player himself, he possesses an insatiable appetite for all things NBA-related, spanning from the captivating tales of old-school NBA to intriguing statistics and the latest updates from the association.