Before any significant Golden State Warriors deal occurred in the NBA, a number of conditions would need to be met. To start, the Dubs would have to keep playing inconsistently, which would put pressure on general manager Mike Dunleavy and head coach Steve Kerr to make changes. Secondly, they would need to be prepared to write off Jonathan Kuminga, their greatest trade chip, as a temporary addition. Ultimately, Alex Caruso would need to be made accessible by the Bulls.
Since Alex Caruso fits the Warriors’ current roster better than anyone else, is there anyone else that the team could trade for?
That’s the idea behind Bleacher Report, which this week at the website looked at three “Golden State Warriors trade targets” (the other two being Alec Burks and Pascal Siakam). This is what Zack Buckley, an analyst, wrote:
However, Golden State might have enough if Jonathan Kuminga or Moses Moody are well-liked in Chicago’s front office. For a 29-year-old role player, it would seem like a high price, but Caruso is one of those guys who can really shine in his part. His offensive versatility enables him to check an incredible amount of boxes, and his defense is excellent (he was named to the All-Defensive first team last season).
The Golden State Warriors: Do They Have All the Parts?
Now, should the Bulls be willing to move Alex Caruso, one obstacle to a trade for him from the Golden State Warriors would be the potential that others with more desirable pieces would be prepared to fight for Caruso. With just $3 million guaranteed for the upcoming season, he is currently in the third year of a four-year, $37 million contract that the Bulls awarded him in 2021.
In his writing, Buckley stated, “The only question is whether they have enough trade chips to win what could be an aggressive bidding war.”
That is consistent with what we at Heavy Sports have been reporting. This month, a league executive stated that Caruso appears to be the Bulls’ most desirable player.
He may be a secondary player at 29, but he has playoff experience—he played a key role in the Lakers’ 2020 NBA Finals bubble team victory—and he can play point guard and defense. Caruso is scoring 10.0 points per game on 56.3% shooting, including 47.9% from three-point range.
“The word “coveted” fits him well. The executive told Heavy Sports, “They could trade Alex Caruso if you want to make a trade tomorrow. Approximately 50% of the league’s teams would provide an offer. More teams than any other are keeping an eye on that scenario, and Caruso is the player they are most interested in seeing. It’s just a matter of time until the Bulls decide to let him go and make adjustments.
Alex Caruso Would Become Part of a Backcourt Pack
With Chris Paul added to the backcourt, the Warriors do have a crowded lineup. However, there are signs that the incredibly little Warriors might be prepared to embrace their diminutive stature and start playing more smallball. This would enable Caruso, who is 6 feet 5 inches and weighs 186 pounds, to play small forward more frequently, something he does not often do.
The Warriors will find it expensive to sign Alex Caruso due to the corresponding trade chips they would need to return in order to cover his $9.4 million salary for 2023–2024. Kuminga could be dealt, but in order to turn a profit, they would also need to send out other players, such as Cory Joseph and Tracye Jackson-Davis or Dario Saric.
That would be excessive. The Warriors might have more alternatives if they add a third team, or the Dubs might try to close a trade by sending away the frequently injured Gary Payton II along with a draft pick. At minimum, that would relieve the backcourt impasse.
It is a long shot, but a trade for Caruso by the Golden State Warriors makes some sense.
Leave a Reply