The Chicago Bulls are in a very interesting position heading into the trade deadline this year. They’ve been playing fairly well, competing with teams on a night-to-night basis, and now find themselves in a position to make the Play-In Tournament by year’s end. But in between then and now is the trade deadline.
Trading Zach LaVine still seems to be the priority for the Bulls, as the star shooting guard is on a massive contract and doesn’t seem to be in their future plans anymore. But while the Bulls may want to trade LaVine, most teams around the league are more interested in Alex Caruso.
Chicago has shut down most talks for Caruso, deeming him virtually untouchable. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports recently reported that it would take “multiple first-round picks” for the Bulls to even consider moving Caruso, noting that the Milwaukee Bucks would love to add him.
“Alex Caruso would mark a dream outcome for the Bucks, but Chicago has indicated the Bulls would need multiple first-round picks to even consider parting with Caruso, according to league sources, if Chicago even truly considers moving him at all,” Fischer wrote.
Caruso has emerged as one of the best 3-and-D guards in the league. Following his All-Defensive First Team season last year, Caruso’s shooting has taken a leap.
So far this season, he’s averaging 9.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 49.1% from the field and 42.0% from behind the three-point line.
Caruso makes roughly $9.5 million this year (and about $9.9 million next year), meaning he’s also on a very affordable contract, especially for his services.