Bulls’ Alex Caruso reportedly ‘untouchable’ in trade talks.
The Chicago Bulls may be open to moving Zach LaVine, or maybe wing DeMar DeRozan, or maybe some other player. But guard Alex Caruso? Forget it.
Per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Caruso is considered “untouchable” in trade talks.
This is news because multiple teams have contacted the Bulls to check on Caruso’s availability. That includes the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat, according to Ashish Mathur of NBA Analysis Network.
“The most sought-after commodity on the Bulls’ roster is still Alex Caruso,” Cowley wrote. “The Sun-Times has reported throughout the season that Caruso was deemed almost untouchable, and a source indicated that hasn’t changed.”
Caruso, 29, is 6-foot-5 and plays both guard positions. Along with being considered a premier backcourt defender, he is averaging 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals, shooting 49 percent from the field, and 42 percent on 3-pointers. He’s making $9.5 million this season.
As we’ve relayed repeatedly, the Bulls are very much trying to trade LaVine. We have the latest on that at Hoops Wire right here.
NBA insider says nothing has changed between the Chicago Bulls and Zach LaVine.
The Chicago Bulls are playing much better basketball these days, going from near the bottom of the Eastern Conference at the end of November to competing for a spot in the Play-in Tournament. While ninth place in the Eastern ladder may not sound glamorous, the Bulls were flat-out tragic late last year when they held a 5-14 record.
However, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst believes that this recent stretch of good fortune for the Bulls must not dissuade the front office from doing what it should have done long ago—break the core up and start anew.
It starts by trading Zach LaVine away.
The Bulls have gone 4-2 since the return of All-Star guard Zach LaVine to the lineup. While he hasn’t been as dominant as before, LaVine is playing ball with his teammates, blending in with his new role as a facilitator. LaVine is averaging 16.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in the six games he’s played since his return from a foot injury.
But according to Windhorst, recent developments haven’t changed a single thing between the Bulls and LaVine in that a trade still is best for both parties.
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