The Bulls don’t have any buyer’s remorse about parting with Alex Caruso to acquire Josh Giddey from Oklahoma City, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago was criticized for not getting any draft compensation in the deal, but executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas explained that they valued Giddey highly enough to accept the trade without draft picks. Even though it’s early in Giddey’s Bulls tenure, his teammates seem to agree.
“I think the play-making is huge and a thing that is going to help us a lot,” Nikola Vucevic said. “He makes passes that not many people can see, and I think his size is something that people underestimate a little bit. For him it’s the same as it is for us, just getting used to playing next to each other. As a team we need to build that chemistry, but I think he’s a player that can help us a lot, especially with his vision. We want to play fast, and I think that’s his style as well.”
The Thunder were in Chicago tonight, creating a perfect opportunity to reflect on the deal. As one of the NBA’s best defensive guards, Caruso was a valuable part of the Bulls’ rotation for the past three seasons, so reporters asked coach Billy Donovan how he reacted when he learned about the trade.
“That’s hard, it’s hard, especially when you’ve been with him for three years and the relationship we built,” Donovan said. “The one thing for Alex in all this for me is I just hope that he’s really, really going to get compensated. He obviously got a great situation, but he’s also at the point where his age, some of the things he’s had to deal with health-wise too. He’s always played banged up and hurt. They came to me and thought this was best for a variety of reasons. I believe this is Alex’s last year of his contract, but they didn’t share with me the representation conversations.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- The Bucks were impressed by Gary Trent Jr.‘s defensive effort in his debut with the team, according to Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Trent was used as the primary defender on Tyrese Maxey, who had to carry the offense for the short-handed Sixers. “It’s hard guarding one of the quickest players in the NBA, full court, always being in front, navigating screens, putting your body on the line, and that’s what he did tonight and he was incredible,” Giannis Antetokounmpo said. “(Maxey) took a lot of shots. He made a lot of shots. He missed a lot of shots, but I think (Trent) was there for every one of them and he did an incredible job. He’s probably tired.”
- Three-time All-Star forward Khris Middleton will miss the Bucks‘ game Sunday in Brooklyn as he continues his recovery from two offseason ankle surgeries, Nehm tweets. Middleton is considered day-to-day.
- Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton vowed to work on his shot after being held scoreless Friday in New York, per Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Haliburton is shooting 1-of-16 from beyond the arc in the team’s first two games. “I’m going to get in the gym and I’m gonna shoot,” he said. “We’re all gonna shoot and we’re going to be ready to go on Sunday (against Philadelphia.) … I’m gonna get a lot of shots (Saturday). I’m gonna get a lot of shots on Sunday and I’m gonna be ready to go on Sunday.”
Bulls won’t make play in but they won’t be bad enough to get a lottery pick. Lavine, Vuch,Lonzo and Giddey will all try to ball out every night….oh well. The house that Jordan built has been in collapse since Jimmy left.
If they don’t make the play-in, they get a lottery pick by definition
What did Jimmy do for the Bulls? Lol
What did Jimmy do for any team? Is losing twice in the finals something historic?
At least one of those players will likely get moved before February…
Definately one of my favourite players to watch…reads the game so well, does so many things to help the team… eventually people need to focus on his skills on the court, not his mistakes off the court where he has no doubt learnt from mistakes. Caruso also great team player and great defender… just feel the Thunder have great defenders…Chet, Dort, Shai, Wallace..and will in some way miss what Josh gave them. Also, the Bulls could have perhaps shared PG duties between Coby and Lonzo injuries permitting of course
I can’t believe Billy Donovan still has a job. I thought they fired him like 5 years ago
The next news on Middleton shouldn’t come until he’s in uniform and steps on the court to play in an actual game. He’s been day to day since camp started. And further updates of Doc informing us (or, the media, who then informs us) “he’s close” just make him look stupid(er).
Haliburton needs to concentrate on playing the point. Scoring will come. Since he handles the ball a lot. Scoring opportunities will always be there. Run the offense help your teammates.
Giddey is the future. Positional Size .