Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich
Artūras Karnišovas promised changes this offseason after admitting in mid-April, after the Chicago Bulls‘ second consecutive non-playoff season, that “this group hasn’t worked.”
And when a player like Alex Caruso is traded for being crucial to the culture Karnišovas said he wanted to build in Chicago, it means Karnišovas is serious about the trade.
The question, of course, is what’s next? Do the Bulls consider cashing in on their two-time All-Defensive team defensive leader, who significantly 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 and a more significant facelift coming? League sources reiterated that the Bulls remain active on several trade fronts centered around Zach LaVine, including the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers. Does this step back make DeMar DeRozan more seriously consider unrestricted free agency?
As a standalone transaction this offseason, this move isn’t great at first glance. If other measures are taken, perhaps it can be seen in a more complete context. This is Karnišovas’ first transaction involving players changing teams since August 2021.
At least three things are clear: By adding Giddey, the Bulls aren’t completely sold on Lonzo Ball’s return. Peter Patton, the notorious shooting coach who serves as the Bulls’ director of player development, has a major project on his hands with Giddey, a career 31 percent three-point shooter whom the Dallas Mavericks released largely unprotected in their second round victory over the Thunder.
And, man, are Bulls fans going to miss Caruso? That’s right.
Caruso returns to the franchise that gave him his first opportunity as an undrafted free agent with the G League’s Oklahoma City Blue, then coached by current Thunder coach and reigning NBA Coach of the Year Mark Daigneault. He gets to play for a championship.
Giddey, who will turn 22 in October, arrives in Chicago to theoretically be on the same timeline as Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu in a backcourt for the future, depending on how the LaVine and Ball situations play out.
White played brilliantly last season to become a finalist for the Most Improved Player award. And while he played well with the ball, he can often be more lethal without it in catch-and-shoot situations. While White showed significant improvement in court organization, the Bulls have lacked a true court general since Ball’s first injury.
Giddey can be that, and he has size and length too. He’s nowhere near Ball’s level as a defender or shooter, and this is where Patton and Giddey’s own work ethic will have to come into play. Remember: Ball completely revamped his shot to become an elite 3-point shooter.
At 6-foot-8, Giddey is a good rebounder and has great court vision. His ability to get past it can be sublime. Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti, generally considered one of the league’s top executives, selected Giddey with the sixth overall pick in 2021 and is keeping his position. 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 sometimes he can be reluctant. And when you combine that with his inability to get to the line frequently with just 1.7 attempts per game in his career, he has room to grow.
Like Caruso, Giddey will also need an extension beyond the 2024-25 season. Because he will earn $8.3 million, he is eligible to sign an extension to his rookie contract through opening night of next season or else he will be a restricted free agent in 2025.
For the Bulls to start the contract clock so quickly when they finally decided to part ways with Caruso, and not receive any picks added to the deal from a franchise swimming in them, raises an eyebrow.
The Bulls turned down significant interest in Caruso at the last two trade deadlines, especially from the Golden State Warriors, because they wanted to make the playoffs. Those failed.
A broader context may be necessary to fully judge whether this operation is valid or not. But it’s a start to change, even if it cost a fan favorite and a player who should be appreciated in Chicago for what he gave.
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