Trade Deadline Prediction sees Alex Caruso staying put in Chicago

The Chicago Bulls have sat on their hands in the last two trade deadlines, hoping that continuity would solve their roster’s shortcomings. However, as their record clearly shows, it’s not working. With this season’s trade deadline quickly approaching, many are wondering if this will finally be the year that the Bulls make a move.

Don’t count on it

While many advocate for the Bulls to kick the tires off this wagon and start anew, these cries have fallen on deaf ears in the Bulls’ front office. Chicago is apparently keen on making the Play-in Tournament its goal every season, and to do that, they need a top-notch defender like Alex Caruso.

For that reason, SB Nation’s Ricky O'Donnell predicts the All-Defensive First Team ace isn’t going anywhere at the trade deadline. Caruso is on the wishlist of nearly every contending team in the league. However, negotiations are a two-way street, and it seems the Bulls aren’t keen on having conversations regarding Caruso.

“The Bulls would be wise to commit to a full rebuild and sell off some of their more talented veterans, and that starts with Caruso, who reportedly has significant interest around the league,” O’Donnell wrote.

“There’s only one problem: the Bulls are still hoping to win two play-in games to make the playoffs, and they believe keeping Caruso gives them the best chance at that. What a sad line of thinking.”

UPDATE: The Bulls’ challenge of the foul call is successful.

That’s Alex Caruso’s 4th block of the game 😳 https://t.co/gjWQYYsrqM
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 7, 2024

Time to adjust their goals

The Bulls are good enough to put a scare in most NBA teams, but not nearly good enough to be considered a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference. As their standing shows—ninth in the East—the Bulls, despite their All-Star talent and the ascendance of Coby White, have a long way to go before they're in the conversation for being one of the top teams in the league.

With only five games remaining before the All-Star break, it’s time for the Bulls to adjust their goals. Instead of focusing on trying to scrape into the playoffs through the play-in tournament, they should shift their focus towards developing their young players and evaluating what changes need to be made.

Another good reason why your team should trade for Alex Caruso: pic.twitter.com/bztQpvMaBv
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) February 7, 2024

“The Bulls must stop thinking ‘continuity’ will solve their problems. It won’t. They need to readjust their goals, because just making the playoffs in a league where more than half the teams do so every year is failing to aim high enough for such a legendary franchise. The Bulls need real action, and that starts with trading Caruso for a big haul of assets,” O’Donnell continued.

Don’t count on it

Time to adjust their goals

Chicago Bulls finally rebuild with this audacious trade idea