Submitted by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich
Arturas Karnisovas admitted in mid-April following the Chicago Bulls' second non-playoff season that “this group isn't working.” He then promised changes this offseason.
And when you consider a player like Alex Caruso as crucial to the culture Karnivas has talked about building in Chicago, it means Karnivas is serious about making a change.
Of course, the question is what's next? Do the Bulls want to trade their two-time All-Defensive Team floorburn leader, who has vastly improved his 3-point shot, for a potentially dynamic floor leader who is nine years younger, as the only move to keep the Bulls competitive?
Or are more moves on the way and another significant change on the way? League sources reiterated that the Bulls are active on multiple trade fronts centered on Zach LaVine, including with the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers. Does this move back make DeMar DeRozan consider unrestricted free agency more strongly?
As a standalone transaction this offseason, this move doesn't look great at first glance. If other moves are made, perhaps it can be seen in full context. This is Karnisovas' first transaction since August 2021 in which players have changed teams.
At least three things are clear: The Bulls are not completely assured of Lonzo Ball's return by adding Giddey. Peter Payton, the notorious shooting coach who serves as the Bulls' director of player development, has a significant project with Giddey, a career 31 percent 3-point shooter who was left largely unprotected by the Dallas Mavericks in their second-round win over the Thunder.
And, man, Bulls fans are going to miss Caruso — and rightfully so.
Caruso is back to the franchise that gave him his first chance as an undrafted free agent with the G League's Oklahoma City Blue, then coached by current Thunder coach and NBA Coach of the Year Mark Daigneault. He got a chance to play for a championship.
Giddey, who will turn 22 in October, would theoretically come to Chicago to play similar time to Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu in the backcourt in the future, depending on how the LaVine and Ball situations play out.
White played brilliantly last season and was a finalist for Most Improved Player. And while he played well on the ball, he can often be more deadly without the ball in catch-and-shoot situations. While White showed significant improvement in floor organization, the Bulls have lacked a true floor general since Ball's first injury.
Giddey can be that, and he has the size and length. He's nowhere near Ball's level as a defender or shooter—and that's where Payton and Giddey's own work ethic will have to come into play. Remember: Ball completely transformed his shot and became a great 3-point shooter.
At 6 feet, 8 inches, Giddey is a good rebounder and has strong court vision. His passing ability can be spectacular. Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti, generally regarded as one of the league's best executives, drafted Giddey with the sixth overall pick in 2021 and remains high on him. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's rise and usage rate negated some of Giddey's strengths.
But Giddey isn't just an inconsistent 3-point shooter; he can also be reluctant at times. And when you combine that with his inability to get to the line often with just 1.7 career attempts per game, he has room to grow.
Like Caruso, Giddey will also need an extension after the 2024-25 season. Due to earning $8.3 million, he is eligible to sign an extension from his rookie contract until opening night next season, otherwise he will be a restricted free agent in 2025.
It is surprising that the Bulls decided to end the deal with Caruso so early in the contract process, and that they did not receive any picks from any of the franchises involved in the deal.
The Bulls rejected significant interest in Caruso at the past two trade deadlines, most notably from the Golden State Warriors, as they looked to make the playoffs. They failed.
It may take a broader context to fully assess whether this deal will succeed or fail. But it's the start of a change, even if it comes at the cost of a fan favorite and a player who should be applauded for his contributions to Chicago.
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