OKC Thunder trading Josh Giddey to Chicago Bulls for Alex Caruso, per report
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey is being traded to the Chicago Bulls in a deal for Alex Caruso, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday. The trade is a one-for-one player swap without any picks involved.
Giddey, who is eligible for a rookie extension, was central to OKC’s summer plans. On a team that won 57 games and a rigorous Western Conference, Giddey’s fit was among the few clear blemishes.
Once a promising offensive initiator, the evolution of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams ultimately forced Giddey into an off-ball role. Simultaneously dealing with allegations of an improper relationship with an underage girl, Giddey struggled in the early parts of the season.
The addition of Chet Holmgren, who’s shooting made OKC infinitely tougher to scheme for, only further led teams to drift from Giddey. Centers defended Giddey, even going as far as parking underneath the rim.
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Josh Giddey stats in 2023-24 season were career lows with Thunder
The third-year guard averaged career lows in points (12.3), rebounds (6.4), and assists (4.8) while shooting 33.7% from deep, seeing a decrease in minutes until he was removed from the starting lineup in OKC’s final couple games of the season.
“The first two games of the playoffs against Dallas, I didn't play a lot,” Giddey said last month. “I was not playing well, and I was probably in my own head. I wasn't being a good teammate. I just felt bad. Even after we won Game 1, I just was trying to be happy, but I was also so worried internally, I couldn't fully get around the guys the way I wanted to. It was a bad feeling.
“I was just so self-centered and worried about me that it impacted the way I was supporting my teammates and being a good teammate.”
It was a tumultuous season off the court for the 21-year-old Australian, who dealt with a months-long investigation into an alleged improper relationship with an underaged girl. Both Newport Beach (California) police and the NBA closed their investigations after being unable to “corroborate any criminal activity.”
There’s a sense that Giddey could still be a good player with an organization seeking his original profile, a large playmaker looking to help run an offense. Giddey’s departure and Caruso’s addition clears the way for sophomores Cason Wallace and Holmgren to possibly expand their on-ball playmaking duties.
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“I couldn't predict what the fit will be,” said Thunder general manager Sam Presti, asked what Giddey’s role might look like next season during his exit interview. “I will tell you that he won't have to fit on this team because that team is over. This team will look different next year and the year after that and the year after that.”
Caruso, one of the league’s most coveted glue guys, brings championship experience to OKC, having won with the Lakers in 2020. An All-Defense Second Team member this past season, Caruso gives the Thunder one of the league’s most lethal defensive rotations, adding to Holmgren, Wallace and Lu Dort’s prowess.
The 6-foot-5 guard averaged 10.1 points, 3.8 boards and 3.5 assists while shooting 40.8% from 3 for the Bulls this past season. He’s set to make $9.9 million next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
After getting his NBA start with the Oklahoma City Blue under coach Mark Daigneault back in 2016, Caruso finds his way back to OKC as a 30-year-old proven veteran.
More: What's next for the OKC Thunder? Player report cards, key offseason dates
What is Alex Caruso's contract?
New Thunder guard Alex Caruso is entering the fourth and final year of a four-year, $37-million contract he signed in 2021 with the Bulls, according to Spotrac. He's set to earn $9.89 million in the 2024-25 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2025.
How much is Josh Giddey getting paid in the NBA?
New Bulls guard Josh Giddey is entering the final year of his rookie contract, signed before the 2021-22 season. He's set to earn $8.35 million, according to Spotrac, and will become a restricted free agent in 2025.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Josh Giddey trade: OKC Thunder deals guard to Bulls for Alex Caruso
