New additions that could be long-term pieces for the Chicago Bulls: Alex Caruso
Another former Los Angeles Lakers guard that the Bulls handed a four-year contract to during the offseason was the defensive standout 6-foot-4 27-year-old floor general Alex Caruso. This former Texas A&M Aggies standout point guard is going to be one of the best defensive players and floor spacers for the Bulls for the next few seasons.
At the time when the Bulls signed Caruso to a four-year contract worth a total of around $37 million, it looked like this team might’ve overpaid for him a bit. But all of the value that Caruso brought to the table for the Lakers on both ends of the floor in the last four seasons, combined with his solid fit in a role that is almost exactly what the Bulls needed on the bench, makes this signing worth it.
Caruso shot north of 40 percent from beyond the arc and registered a solid 2.3 defensive box plus/minus last season. All that Donovan and the Bulls really need out of Caruso is someone who can play exceptional defense off the bench situationally this season, and give the offense another floor spacer.
Since the Bulls are signed to a rather long-term deal with Caruso moving forward, it makes sense that he will become a key long-term piece for this rotation. Caruso likely won’t ever be someone that fills a big role in the Bulls starting unit. But he can be one of the most important pieces of the bench for nearly the next half-decade, if not longer.