NBA trade rumors: Golden State Warriors among those interested in Alex Caruso as problems increase in Chicago

The Golden State Warriors are one of many teams ready to make an offer for Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso, according to Heavy’s Sean Deveney. Deveney reportedly spoke with an anonymous Eastern Conference GM who said that Caruso is the player to watch amid Chicago's early-season struggles. The GM said.

“The guy to watch is (Alex) Caruso.”

The GM then explained how Caruso’s team-friendly contract makes him an attractive trade target for contenders:

“They have had talks about Coby White but he is going into free agency, and if you trade for him, you’ve got to pay him. No one is ready to take that leap with him. But Caruso has a contract that teams like (two years, $19 million after this season) and he is a good piece on a winning team."

The GM also added that the Bulls will likely try to acquire draft picks in a deal for Caruso.

“If they can get some draft capital back for Caruso, and maybe a player, that would suit them. Teams like Phoenix or Miami, both would be in a position to make a trade like that."

As for who the Warriors could give up, the GM mentioned third-year big man James Wiseman:

“Even the Warriors, they could send out a young guy, a guy like (James) Wiseman to get into win-now mode. Philadelphia, same thing, they could offer some of their young guys — Matisse Thybulle, Shake (Milton) and add another guy to make the salaries work. The Lakers certainly would like to have him back if they had the young guys to do it."

Alex Caruso is averaging just 5.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks per game on 43.8% shooting this season. However, he has already proven to be a winner, as evidenced by his prominent role on the LA Lakers 2020 championship team.

He is also known as one of the premier defensive-minded hustle players in the NBA. So Caruso is a pretty sure thing in terms of what contending teams can expect from him if they acquire him.

The Warriors have struggled to tread water without superstar point guard Steph Curry, who is out with a shoulder injury. They are just 1-6 without him this season and 15-18 overall. The Warriors have also lost their last two games to New York and Brooklyn by a combined 68 points.

Golden State’s biggest issue is their lack of reliable role players following the losses of Gary Payton II and Otto Porter Jr. in free agency. So Alex Caruso would likely fit in nicely in Golden State.

What is the timeline for a possible Alex Caruso trade?

Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso

As for the timeline for a possible Alex Caruso trade, that reportedly depends on whether or not the Bulls can turn their season around. The Bulls have been dealing with chemistry issues this season and are just 13-18 and 11th in the Eastern Conference. This record comes despite them winning their last two games.

So if the Bulls don’t turn things around soon, it’s looking like there’s a decent chance they will blow up their veteran-heavy roster and rebuild. The GM who spoke with Sean Deveney, added that mid-January will be a good marker for whether Chicago’s season is salvageable:

“If we get into mid-January and they have not turned it around, look for a team that sees itself as a contender to make a run for him because he is really only an asset playing a role on a good team."

Finally, the GM added that if things keep going south for Chicago, Caruso will likely be the first to go:

“If things don’t improve, Caruso is the guy most will be looking at in the short term. He has good trade value and would get something like 15 interested teams if he were up to be dealt.”

So it looks like Golden State Warriors fans will have to wait at least a few weeks before a possible Alex Caruso deal goes down.

For Sean Deveney’s full report on the Chicago Bulls, click here.

Also read this: Reports: Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine not seeing eye-to-eye, "deep disconnect simmering"

Or this: Tracing Alex Caruso's journey from being a G league player to becoming an NBA champion