NBA trade rumors: A Lakers-Bulls package to send Alex Caruso back to LA
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers made an ill-fated decision in the 2021 offseason to not re-sign Alex Caruso. Los Angeles could have retained Caruso with bird rights but after re-signing Talen Horton-Tucker to a three-year deal, the team did not want to take the luxury tax implications that would have come with re-signing Caruso.
This was disappointing for Lakers fans. Not only because Caruso was a huge fan favorite but because the guard reportedly went back to the Lakers and gave them a chance to re-sign him for cheaper than he signed with the Chicago Bulls. Chicago signed him to a four-year, $36.98 million contract.
Fast forward a year and a half and Caruso is now potentially on the trade block. The Bulls have been tumultuous this season and if a blow-up is on the horizon then Caruso will be one of their most sought-after trade pieces.
With Caruso potentially on the trade market and Los Angeles looking to improve, there is a very natural thought for Lakers fans to have. And yes, it is possible.
A Lakers-Bulls trade package for Alex Caruso:
This trade would see Alex Caruso reunite with the team that took a chance on him and would give Lakers fans something to cheer about, even if they do not make a run at the NBA Title this season.
But what is the logic behind this trade for both teams? There certainly is a lot to dive into it, especially when there might be competition for the Lakers to make a Caruso trade. On the following pages, we will dive into why each team could say yes to this deal.