This trade sends a Lakers fan-favorite, Alex Caruso, back to Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Lakers have made a few moves in free agency this summer, with the majority of important moves involving retaining key role players around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. The team’s priority has clearly been making complementary moves, rather than chasing stars.
Though a lot of the team’s players cannot be moved until later on in the season, the team could still make some minor trades which may have a high impact on the team going forward. In 2020, guard Alex Caruso was a key player for the team during their championship run. Currently, he is on the Chicago Bulls, and they could decide to trade him if they are headed for a rebuild. The Lakers are contending next season, so they make a natural trade partner. Here is a potential framework that sends Caruso back to Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Alex Caruso
Chicago Bulls Receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Max Christie, 2024 Second-Round Pick (LAC via LAL)
There is no doubt that this deal could potentially work out for both teams. The Los Angeles Lakers would add another win-now veteran to increase their chances of winning a championship, while the Chicago Bulls would get some assets for the future. Let’s dive into just how this trade makes sense for all parties.
The Los Angeles Lakers Land A Key Defensive Veteran
There’s no doubt that a perimeter defender like Alex Caruso is extremely valuable in modern-day basketball. Caruso is on the bigger end for a guard, as he is 6’5, and he can comfortably guard both point guards and shooting guards and switch onto some smaller forwards as well. On top of his defensive ability, Alex Caruso is also a solid enough shooter at low volume, averaging 36.5% from the 3PT range during the 2022-23 season.
Though it is unlikely that Alex Caruso will have a huge role given the depth the Los Angeles Lakers have at both guard positions, he can still be an effective low-minute player when the team needs a more defense-oriented s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 set. We have seen Caruso work effectively with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the past, and perhaps he can do so once again if he returns to the Lakers.
Overall, the Los Angeles Lakers would have to give up two young players in this deal, Jalen Hood-Schifino and Max Christie, as well as a second-round pick. This would be a minor price to pay to bring back a veteran player that has championship experience, and Caruso’s presence could be highly valuable for the team by virtue of his leadership.
Though the team does not necessarily need Alex Caruso to win a championship, he certainly increases their chances of doing so. Defense is one of the key things that defines ring-winning teams, and coach Darvin Ham has already stressed that defense is key when playing under him. Alex Caruso would fit the team’s culture perfectly, and the Lakers should trade for him, especially if the price is not prohibitive.
The Chicago Bulls Add Young Prospects For Their Rebuild
At this point, it is fair to say that the Chicago Bulls should rebuild. They were eliminated in the play-in tournament by the Miami Heat this past season, despite having some star-level basketball players on the roster. They should try to amass assets, especially young players and draft picks.
Trading Alex Caruso to the Los Angeles Lakers would allow the Chicago Bulls to get some solid prospects for their rebuild, as well as minor draft compensation. Jalen Hood-Schifino and Max Christie are both raw players, who can potentially develop into quality contributors with playing time and opportunity. They would get ample minutes on the Chicago Bulls, as the team would focus on the development of younger prospects during the rebuild.
The second-round pick isn’t a huge amount of draft compensation, but it would be a solid sweetener in the deal on top of the two prospects that are included. Second-round picks are more valuable under the new CBA, as getting rotational players on low-cost contracts is important for teams to be able to stay under the second tax apron.
