The Oklahoma City Thunder are acquiring guard Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for wing Josh Giddey. The Thunder are adding a defensive-minded presence to their mix, while the Bulls add a younger, playmaking wing to their roster.
Both Caruso and Giddey are in entering the final years of their contracts. The Thunder are reportedly interested in extending Caruso’s deal before he hits unrestricted free agency next summer. Oklahoma City reportedly views their acquisition of Caruso as similar to when the Golden State Warriors added Andre Iguodala to their team in 2013. Caruso is represented by Greg Lawrence.
Caruso averaged 10.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 28.7 minutes over 71 games last season. Caruso was an All-NBA Defensive First Team selection in 2023 and a Second Team selection in 2024.
The Bulls will have an opportunity to offer Giddey, who was the sixth overall pick out of Adelaide in 2021, a rookie scale extension this offseason. If no deal is reached, Giddey will be eligible for restricted free agency in the summer of 2025. Giddey is represented by Daniel Moldovan and Alex Saratsis.
Giddey averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 25.1 minutes over 80 games last season for the Thunder, which represented a drop in production across the board.