Golden State Warriors Trade Urged for $37 Million ‘Elite’ Defender
There are multiple factors that would have to fall into place before any major Golden State Warriors trade went down in the NBA. First, the Dubs would need to continue their uneven play, putting pressure on GM Mike Dunleavy and coach Steve Kerr to shake things up. Second, they would have to be willing to write off their best trade chip, Jonathan Kuminga, as a short-term contributor. Finally, the Bulls would have to make Alex Caruso available.
Because who would be a better fit, really, for a Warriors trade as the team is currently constructed than Alex Caruso?
That’s the thought at Bleacher Report, which examined three “Golden State Warriors trade targets” this week at the site (Alec Burks and Pascal Siakam were the others). Here’s what analyst Zack Buckley wrote:
“If there are big fans of Moses Moody or Jonathan Kuminga in Chicago’s front office, though, Golden State might have enough to get a deal done. That maybe sounds like a steep price for a 29-year-old role player, but Caruso is one of those players who can star in his role. His defense is elite (All-Defensive first team last season), and his offensive versatility allows him to check an impressive number of boxes.”
Now, one hindrance to a Golden State Warriors trade for Alex Caruso would be the possibility that others with more attractive pieces are willing to get into a battle for Caruso, should the Bulls be willing to move him. He is in the third year of the four-year, $37 million contract the Bulls gave him in 2021, with only $3 million guaranteed for next season.
“The only question is whether they have enough trade chips to win what could be an aggressive bidding war,” Buckley wrote.
That is in line with our reporting here at Heavy Sports. One league executive said this month that Caruso figures to be the most attractive asset on the Bulls roster.
Yes, he is a 29-year-old role player, but he has playoff experience (he helped the Lakers to the bubble championship in the 2020 NBA Finals), he is a top-tier defender and he can play point guard. Caruso is averaging 10.0 points on 56.3% shooting, with 47.9% 3-point shooting
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