Bulls came close to trading Alex Caruso during trade deadline
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Due to their mediocrity and blurry direction, the entire league has anticipated a massive fire sale from the Chicago Bulls in this season's trade deadline. Yet contrary to this general belief by rival teams, they didn't move any player and remained passive in the active marketplace.
But behind this inactivity, there was a moment in which the Bulls nearly pulled the trigger and dealt their most precious trade asset.
Bulls almost considered trading A.C. away
As they cemented their unwavering commitment to Alex Caruso in the wake of massive trade interest that he absorbed from rival teams throughout the season, Chicago reportedly took “real consideration” about shipping A.C. away during the exact day of this year's trade deadline.
In the end, the Bulls have remained clinging to their no-trade stance and their well-known trade talks with the Golden State Warriors didn't gain enough traction.
“The Bulls, league sources say, wound up giving real consideration to trading Caruso on Deadline Day after insisting for weeks that they wouldn’t,” per league insider Marc Stein. “But Chicago’s talks with Golden State ultimately collapsed.”
Caruso is an important piece in Chicago's system
Caruso, 29, has been the Bulls' leader and do-it-all player who is averaging 9.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. This season, he's enjoying his best shooting stretch with 48.2 percent from the field and 40.1 percent efficiency from downtown.
As Chicago desires to continue their contention and push through with their core, having Alex at their side offers them an advantage and much-secured benefits. As such, they are certainly optimistic that the veteran will play a huge role in their plans for a late-season blitz.
ALEX CARUSO FOR THE LEAD IN OT.@NBCSChicago | @ACFresh21 pic.twitter.com/UFugs7u70C
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 28, 2023