Report: Knicks, Kings Tried To Acquire Alex Caruso From Bulls

According to NBA insider K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings tried to acquire Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls. 

The Bulls traded Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Josh Giddey. 

“The Bulls targeted Giddey just as specifically as the Thunder eyed Alex Caruso in the one-for-one trade finalized on Friday,” Johnson wrote. “League sources indicated that the New York Knicks and Sacramento Kings both offered draft capital to the Bulls in packages they felt were superior to the one-for-one deal. The Athletic previously reported the Kings’ offer that featured the 13^th overall pick in this week’s NBA Draft.”

Caruso averaged 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks in 2023-24 while shooting 46.8% overall, 40.8% from 3 and 76.0% from the free-throw line. He will make $9.9 million next season. 

The 30-year-old Caruso has career averages of 6.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Los Angeles Lakers and Bulls. He’s one of the top defenders in the NBA. 

Starting July 6, Caruso is eligible to sign a four-year, $78.8 million extension.  

Giddey averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocks in 80 games for the Thunder while shooting 47.5% overall, 33.7% from 3 and 80.6% from the foul line. He’ll make $8.4 million in 2024-25. 

Giddey has career averages of 13.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Thunder. He’s eligible to sign a rookie-scale extension this offseason. 

The Bulls missed the playoffs this year, while the Thunder lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the second round. 

According to NBA insider Will Gottlieb of CHGO Sports, the Bulls didn’t trade Caruso at the 2024 trade deadline because ownership had a “mandate” to push for the playoffs. Chicago is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, who also owns the Chicago White Sox.

“According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Bulls have received offers from multiple teams, consisting of multiple protected first-round picks,” Gottlieb wrote. “One of those deals included a pick in the top-10 of the 2024 Draft, the source said. The Golden State Warriors were among teams who made a strong offer for Caruso, multiple sources confirmed.

“Ultimately, they declined. Internally, the Bulls party line was that they would have to start searching for a Caruso replacement from the moment they traded him. That may have been fine in a rebuild, which lead executive Arturas Karnisovas admitted ownership supported.

“However, the source indicated that there was a mandate from the Reinsdorfs to fight for the Playoffs. That, no doubt, impacted the front office’s decision making when it came to pulling the trigger on any Caruso deal.”