Bulls’ Artūras Karnišovas takes first step in off-season changes originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
Presented by National Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich
Artūras Karnišovas promised changes this offseason after admitting in mid-April, following the Chicago Bulls’ second straight non-playoff season, that “this group didn’t work.”
And when you consider Alex Caruso a crucial player in the culture Karnišovas said he wanted to build in Chicago, that means Karnišovas is serious about implementing change.
The question, of course, is what comes next? Do the Bulls see cashing in on their two-time All-Defensive team leader, who has significantly improved his 3-point shooting for a potentially dynamic leader who is nine years their junior, as the only move to keep the Bulls competitive?
Or are more changes and more significant reform coming? League sources reiterated that the Bulls remain active on several Zach LaVine-centric trade fronts, including with the Utah Jazz and Philadelphia 76ers. Does this move backwards make DeMar DeRozan consider unrestricted free agency more strongly?
As a standalone transaction this offseason, this move is not a good one on its face. If further measures are taken, perhaps this can be seen in a fuller context. This is Karnišovas’ first transaction involving players switching teams since August 2021.
At the very least, three things are clear: By adding Giddey, the Bulls are not entirely sold on a Lonzo Ball return. Peter Patton, the notorious shooting coach who serves as the Bulls’ director of player development, has a major project on his hands with Giddey, a career 31 percent 3-point shooter who the Dallas Mavericks left unprotected in their second-round victory. turn over the thunder.
And, boy, are Bulls fans going to miss Caruso – and rightfully so.
Caruso returns to the franchise that gave him his first break as an undrafted free agent with the G League’s Oklahoma City Blue, coached then by current Thunder coach and reigning NBA Coach of the Year Mark Daigneault. He can play for a championship.
Giddey, who turns 22 in October, comes to Chicago to theoretically be on the same timeline as Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu in a backcourt for the future, depending on how the LaVine and Ball situations play out.
White played brilliantly last season to become finalists for Most Improved Player. And while he has played well on the ball, he can often be more lethal off the ball in catch-and-shoot situations. Although White has shown significant improvement in floor organization, the Bulls have not had a true floor general since Ball’s first injury.
Giddey can be that, and he also has size and length. He’s nowhere near Ball’s level as a defender or shooter — and this is where Patton and Giddey’s work ethic will have to come into play. Remember: Ball completely revamped his jump shot to become an elite 3-point shooter.
At 6 feet 8 inches, Giddey is a good rebounder and has strong court vision. His passing ability could be sublime. Thunder executive vice president and general manager Sam Presti, generally considered one of the league’s best executives, drafted Giddey with the sixth overall pick in 2021 and remains high on him. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s rise and usage rate has negated some of Giddey’s strengths.
But Giddey isn’t just an inconsistent 3-point shooter; he can be reluctant at times. And when you combine that with his inability to get to the line often on just 1.7 career attempts per game, he has room to grow.
Like Caruso, Giddey will also need an extension after the 2024-25 season. Due to earning $8.3 million, he is eligible to sign an extension to his rookie contract through opening night of next season or else be a restricted free agent in 2025.
The fact that the Bulls started the contract clock so quickly when they finally decided to part ways with Caruso, and didn’t get any picks added to a franchise deal swimming in them, raises an eyebrow.
The Bulls rejected significant interest in Caruso at the last two trade deadlines, particularly from the Golden State Warriors, because they wanted to compete in the playoffs. Those failed.
Whether this trade passes or fails may need a broader context to be fully evaluated. But it’s a start of change, even if it came at the cost of a fan favorite and a player who should be appreciated in Chicago for what he gave.
