The 2021 offseason is seen as a disastrous one for the Los Angeles Lakers for more reasons than one. They traded Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, two key role players from their 2020 championship team, plus Montrezl Harrell, to the Washington Wizards for Russell Westbrook. Westbrook never fit in, and he became the scapegoat when the Lakers missed the play-in tournament during the ensuing season.
But they also made another move in the summer of 2021 that was widely criticized and resulted in them losing another key role player from that 2020 squad. Guard Alex Caruso was allowed to leave in free agency as the team didn’t come up with enough money to re-sign him.
Caruso emerged during L.A.’s championship season as an excellent defender who sacrificed his body to make hustle plays. While he is limited offensively, he developed a huge cult following among fans of the Purple and Gold.
He has been a member of the Chicago Bulls since the 2021-22 campaign, but one Eastern Conference executive thinks L.A. could try to trade for him.
Via Heavy.com:
“The rumor around the Lakers was they regretted letting him go almost immediately after it happened,” one Eastern Conference exec told Heavy Sports. “They knew that was a mistake. He’s not the same player now, but the Lakers are worried they don’t have enough of an edge. He could be someone who helps fix that.”
The question is what would it take for the Lakers to get Caruso back, and what would they be willing to give up to make it happen?
“They wouldn’t give up a (first-round) pick but they could give up (Jalen) Hood-Schifino and another contract if they wait until Dec. 15. Or Max Christie, he has some value,” the executive said. “They’re not giving up a pick but they have young guys they can put up there.”
So far, this season’s edition of the Lakers has been beaten badly on the boards and has acquired the troubling habit starting slowly. While Caruso isn’t a good rebounder or any type of an offensive threat, he would give them an All-NBA defender in the backcourt.
