[Miranda] Revisiting the Alex Caruso trade: “The Bulls handed them that All-Defensive player without getting a single pick in return”
After last night’s double-overtime Game 1 between the Spurs and Thunder, the Caruso trade discourse is definitely coming back.
Caruso finished with 31 points off the bench, hit 8 threes, played elite defense, and was arguably OKC’s best player for stretches of the game. Especially with SGA putting up 24/12/5, it felt like Caruso was the one keeping them alive late.
Alex Caruso — yes, that Alex Caruso — led the Thunder in scoring with 31 points off the bench, knocking down 8 threes and shooting 57% from the field.
Seeing Caruso do what he was doing still makes that Josh Giddey-for-Caruso trade seem crazy. Yes, Giddey is a young guard who could average a triple-double and make an All-Star team, but at the time, the Bulls could’ve gotten so much more for Alex Caruso.
I would argue that, as great as the Thunder are, without Alex Caruso’s defense off the bench, this team would be a lot less scary. And the Bulls handed them that All-Defensive player without getting a single pick in return, along with Josh Giddey.”
Source: https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2026/05/19/bulls-bullets-may-19/
Curious how Bulls fans view it now compared to when the trade happened