The Chicago Bulls made a massive move on Thursday afternoon when they agreed to trade Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey. Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news on a wild day for the NBA. The Bulls have needed a shakeup for years and have been searching for a point guard since Lonzo Ball was injured in 2022. The franchise needs more, but this was certainly a start.
It was a shocking move after a recent report suggested Chicago turned down multiple offers for Caruso. The two-time All-Defensive guard is a game-changing role player, who was coveted by several contenders. There were likely larger offers before the deadline that Chicago turned down, but the franchise decided to push for the playoffs.
Caruso was entering the final year of his contract and it was time to move on. The Bulls will not be serious contenders before the 30-year-old guard begins to decline. Chicago’s choice to trade him for Josh Giddey was surprising.
Bulls take a massive gamble on Josh Giddey
Giddey is a 6’8 point guard with a unique skill set. During his second NBA season, he averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in 31.1 minutes per game, but his minutes and production dipped in year three as the Thunder moved into contention. The 21-year-old needs the ball in his hands to be most effective, and Oklahoma City prioritized Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams running the show.
Giddey’s lack of shooting virtually played him off the floor in the playoffs. He was removed from the starting five in their second-round series against the Mavericks and averaged just 12.6 minutes per game. He is not exactly the ideal target for a franchise eager to make the postseason.
Josh Giddey has untapped potential. His 3-point shooting has improved every year. The 21-year-old is already an impactful passer and playmaker. He could reach another level and be a key starter for the foreseeable future in Chicago. The downside is he never finds a 3-point shot or improves his defense enough to be impactful in the playoffs.
The Bulls had one of the best role players in the NBA, and they traded him for the upside of Josh Giddey. There is no guarantee it will work out. This could be looked back on as a home run or a disaster move from the Bulls front office. Only time will tell.
Does this signal a rebuild in Chicago?
Bulls fans should be happy for this reason. It appears the front office will finally retool their roster this offseason. They may not go into full rebuild mode, but trading for a 21-year-old point guard is a promising first step. Expect the Bulls to make moves and have more upside heading into the 2024-25 season.
Does Josh Giddey fit next to Coby White? Can he develop a consistent jump shot? Do the Bulls finally make a serious playoff run with Giddey as their point guard? Those questions are impossible to answer in the aftermath of this trade, but at least the Chicago Bulls have hope for the future. It is certainly a start.