Report: Bulls trade Alex Caruso to Thunder for Josh Giddey

(670 The Score) The Bulls have made their first big move of the offseason.

Chicago has traded two-time all-defensive guard Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City in exchange for guard Josh Giddey, according to multiple reports Thursday afternoon. Caruso’s exit is the first meaningful change the Bulls have made in years and comes after executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas proclaimed at season’s end in April that “everything is on the table.”

In return, the Bulls will receive the 21-year-old Giddey, who’s set to make $8.4 million in 2024-’25 before being set to become a restricted free agent next summer. Giddey averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 80 games this past season. He shot 47.5% overall and 33.7% from 3-point range.

In 76 games in 2022-'23 during his age-20 season, Giddey averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists while shooting 48.2% overall and 32.5% from 3-point range.

At 6-foot-8, Giddey has great positional size and is a good passer, but he was a poor perimeter shooter, which is why his playing time waned for the Thunder in the playoffs as opponents sagged off of him to clog the lane. The Bulls figure to give Giddey the chance to be a main playmaker for their offense, which should allow guard Coby White to play off the ball more often and take more advantage of his shooting capabilities.

Last November, Newport Beach police in California opened an investigation after allegations surfaced that Giddey had an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl. After a couple months, the Newport Beach police department announced it was unable to corroborate any criminal activity by Giddey. An NBA investigation reached a similar conclusion and was closed without any discipline.

The Thunder selected Giddey at No. 6 overall in the 2021 NBA Draft.

In many ways, Caruso was the heart and soul of the Bulls for the past three seasons after they signed him in August 2021. He was their defensive anchor, a great communicator and a beloved teammate who also shot a superb 40.8% from 3-point range this past season. He's set to make $9.9 million in 2024-'25 before hitting unrestricted free agency next summer.

The Bulls rebuffed offers for Caruso at the trade deadline in February but have now decided to part ways with him in a deal that adds a promising-but-flawed young player to their roster. The focus for the Bulls will now turn to veteran forward DeMar DeRozan, who's set to hit unrestricted free agency on June 30 if the sides don't reach a contract extension before then.