NBA Trade Rumors: Should the Hawks Consider a Trade for Alex Caruso?
We are only a month into the NBA season, but there is already trade speculation picking up in the city of Chicago.
Earlier this week, Shams Charania and Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic wrote about this:
"NBA teams are probing the availability of two-time All-Star guard Zach LaVine, and there’s been increased openness from the Chicago Bulls and LaVine about exploring a trade, league sources said."
With that report coming out, it has led to speculation about the Bulls tearing it down and not just LaVine being a trade possibility.
Per The Athletic's Jovan Buha, the Lakers have "real" interest in Zach LaVine at the right price.
Los Angeles would also be open to a reunion with Alex Caruso as well as a pursuit of DeMar DeRozan if the Bulls make them available.
It is not known if Caruso, DeRozan, or any other Bulls are available for trade, but given the state of the franchise, it would seem like they should be open to any trade possibilities.
Mayberry covers the team for The Athletic and this is what he had to say about any potential Caruso trade:
"Trading Caruso might be among the best ways the Bulls can restock their cupboard. It would sting, and the Bulls almost certainly would take a step back, but it could be a prudent rebuilding strategy depending on the return. If the Bulls had a chance at a first-round pick and a promising young prospect by trading Caruso, they’d have to be intrigued. Caruso’s injury history is a concern, and the Bulls having to be so cautious to not play him even starter’s minutes is a hurdle.
At some point, Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas must stop overvaluing his players and commit to a deal that improves the roster or the team’s asset base.
What the Bulls have now isn’t good enough."
Should the Hawks consider trading for Alex Caruso?
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It might not be immediately, but if the Bulls do decide to start trading away players, should the Hawks call about Caruso? I am here to argue yes.
Right now, Atlanta has one of the NBA's best offenses. Per Cleaning the Glass, the Hawks are 5th in points per 100 possessions, 7th in effective field goal percentage, and 2nd in free throw rate. That is not the end of the court that has been a struggle for the Hawks, it is the defensive side.
Per Cleaning the Glass, Atlanta is 18th in points per 100 possessions allowed and 22nd in effective field goal percentage allowed. The Hawks are 8th in turnover rate on defense, but that number would skyrocket if they landed Caruso, who is one of the best defensive guards in the NBA.
In 236 minutes this year, Chicago is +2.3 when Caruso is on the floor and he is one of the few positive players on the team. Per Cleaning the Glass, Caruso is in the 70th percentile in points allowed per 100 possessions, 76th percentile in effective field goal percentage allowed, and 91st percentile in turnover rate. He has been among the top defensive guards since his days with the Lakers and it is one of the reasons he would be a highly coveted player on the trade market.
It is not just defense though. Caruso is a good three-point shooter. He is hitting 44.8% of his three-pointers this year and would bring value to that end of the court.
Would AJ Griffin be included in any trades for Alex Caruso?
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Atlanta does not have a backup point guard currently and while Caruso is not a traditional point guard, he could be an extra ball handler for this team. He would join Bogdan Bogdanovic (who had a great night against the Knicks last night), Saddiq Bey, and Onyeka Okongwu and form what might be the best bench in the NBA.
One reason the Hawks might not do this trade is they could be saving their assets for a bigger move. There were plenty of rumors this offseason around a potential Pascal Siakam trade and Atlanta might want to revisit that later in the year if it becomes available.
What would a trade for Caruso look like?
Atlanta does not need to go crazy with any trades here and mortgage any more of their future than necessary, but I do think they can send a reasonable trade package for Caruso that can include a first-round pick and a young player.
Using the NBA's Trade Machine, the Hawks could trade Patty Mills (who does not play), 2023 first-round pick Kobe Bufkin, and the 2024 lottery-protected pick that is owed to Atlanta from Sacramento could be enough to get the deal done. The Bulls get a young player in Bufkin and a first-round pick.
A package of Mills, AJ Griffin, and the pick works too. Griffin pops in and out of the rotation for the Hawks, but I don't know if Atlanta would want to trade him or not. Griffin has a lot of potential as a shooter and could work his way back into the rotation. Does Bufkin or Griffin move the needle for the Bulls? That is unclear. The Bulls lack young talent and picks and Atlanta could provide both of those.
There is going to be plenty of competition for Caruso should he become available, but Atlanta should absolutely consider a trade for him if he is.
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