Sports
Bulls Rumors: Alex Caruso Trade 'Shut Down' in Calls from 'Bevy of' NBA Teams – Bleacher Report
Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso has been drawing significant trade interest from across the NBA, but it sounds like the team has no plans of moving him.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, “A bevy of teams has been expressing interest in trading for Bulls utility star Alex Caruso, league sources say, but the franchise has shut down those calls.”
Caruso has appeared in 20 games with nine starts for the 9-14 Bulls, who are currently on a four-game win streak. His averages of 9.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists might seem modest, but he has excelled in his role as a glue guy who can do it all for Chicago. He leads the team with 1.3 steals per game and he’s shooting 46.4 percent from beyond the arc and a career-high 53.6 percent from the field.
The 29-year-old is coveted around the league for his ability to fill multiple roles on the floor, but it appears that the Bulls view him as a key piece of their core. He’s signed through the 2024-25 season, with his $9.9 million salary for next year being partially guaranteed.
While Caruso appears to be off-limits, the Bulls are reportedly exploring trades for their star players. Charania noted that the team is “expected to continue probing interested teams” on a trade for star shooting guard Zach LaVine. The Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers were named as “suitors” for the two-time All-Star, but “both are operating from positions of patience and due diligence.”
Also, veteran shooting guard DeMar DeRozan is a trade candidate since he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season. The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported earlier this month that the 34-year-old’s preferred destinations are the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat if he is dealt.
It’s clear that the Bulls will be the team to keep an eye on as the trade deadline draws nearer.