Will Gottlieb of CHGO Sports wrote on Monday regarding Alex Caruso’s status as he heads into his contract season. In this summary, Gottlieb also detailed that over the past two trade deadlines, Caruso’s name has been amongst the hottest on the roster to be sent to a contending team before a playoff run. Last year specifically, the Golden State Warriors made the best effort to add the 30-year-old defensive star but were turned away by Chicago’s front office. Much of the fanbase wanted to see a full-on firesale, including Caruso, so that the rebuilding stage could get a jolt before the 2024 NBA Draft. Not only was Caruso still on the roster following the 2024 trade deadline, but the Bulls also made a total of zero trades, extending their NBA-leading streak of over 1,000 days without a trade until their deal yesterday with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In his report, Gottlieb also said that “a source with knowledge on the situation” commented that there was a “mandate to fight for the playoffs” via ownership passed down, putting the axe on any potential Caruso trades. How much truth is there behind this report, and how credible is this unknown source?
NBC Chicago’s K.C. Johnson Doubts The Validity
Two days ago, in the latest Bulls Talk Podcast, Johnson shared his insight regarding the ownership’s vetoing of a trade this past February. Having been around the team for over 20 years, some of his perspectives counter what Gottlieb and CHGO claimed to have transpired last February. As he explains, during his tenure covering the team under the same ownership group, this would be the first time ownership has made a move similar to this trade veto.
While Gottlieb has no intention of misleading the NBA’s following and Chicago fans, finding a source that would be more knowledgeable about that situation or any Bulls situation than K.C. Johnson is tough. Boasting the most following of any Bulls’ insider and being courtside for every game, present in every media session and locker room interview for the past 20 years, Johnson’s insight is as good as it gets for the franchise. While it’s easy to believe that ownership would pass down something as egregious as this mandate, the validity is questioned if Johnson doesn’t consider it true.
1,027 Days Of Silence Broken
All outstanding records must end eventually, and thankfully for the Chicago Bulls following, that includes their NBA-longest 1,027 days without a trade. Swapping Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey yesterday represented their first trade in three years and the first pillar to fall in the massive roster reconstruction ahead. Moving aging talent for rising stars is an excellent start to the rebuild coming, and while Giddey might not have the flashiest aura or style of play, his efficiency and playmaking abilities can fit well with the young emerging scorers in Chicago.
Would the Bulls be better off today had they shipped Caruso at the deadline? Did ownership put the hammer down and force the front office to push for the playoffs amid another mediocre season? Regardless of who made the call, the floodgates are open for the Bulls, and anyone on the roster is fair game. Who will be next to go?
