Chicago Bulls: 3 players ready to detonate early this season

Chicago Bulls ready to explode early in the season: Alex Caruso

Among the most exciting new additions for the Bulls during the summer was the former Los Angeles Lakers defensive standout point guard Alex Caruso. So much of what Caruso did for the Lakers was appreciated thanks to the lore of his persona on and off the court. But a lot of the particular strengths he brings to the table for the Bulls are overshadowed thanks to the distraction of the legend he’s built among the media and fans otherwise.

Caruso really is one of the best on-ball defenders among point guards in the NBA. He defended some of the absolute best guards in the NBA in the last few seasons when the Lakers needed to use him situationally. And that’s going to be a similar way that Donovan and the Bulls can use Caruso to excel on the defensive end of the floor.

The Bulls didn’t have a point guard that was as capable and versatile as a perimeter defender since Kris Dunn left town two offseasons ago.

But it’s not only the defensive game that makes Caruso such a big-time addition for the Bulls heading into the regular season. He’s an excellent floor spacer that shot better than 40 percent from beyond the arc last season with the Lakers. And he’s also one of the more efficient distributors of the basketball among reserve guards in the Central Division heading into the regular season.

Caruso is an excellent fit with the Bulls’ second unit, which needs someone that can space the floor and be a solid help defender like him. The Bulls could find a lot of versatile scoring too out of a potential backcourt duo between Coby White and Caruso. That is if Coby returns to the lineup soon.

Basketball-Reference projects Caruso to average around 12 points per game, five rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block. And he’s projected to shoot 44 percent from the field, 38 percent from beyond the arc, and 70 percent from the free-throw line.