How the Lakers can bring Alex Caruso back this summer
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Lakers just took on the Chicago Bulls in back-to-back games and it gave reunited fans with some players who previously donned the purple and gold.
On the bad end of the spectrum was Patrick Beverley, who has made it his goal to badmouth Lakers fans since leaving Los Angeles. On the good end of the spectrum was Alex Caruso, who is still extremely beloved among the Laker faithful.
After Wednesday’s huge win over the Bulls, Anthony Davis and co. embraced Caruso on the court and put every single fan in their feelings as a result. Now, Lakers fans are yearning over the possibility of the team potentially bringing Caruso back this summer.
"Bring him back home by u/TallanoGoldDigger in lakers"
Could the Lakers actually bring back Alex Caruso this summer?
At the risk of getting any fans excited about a potential reunion, yes, the Lakers could bring back Alex Caruso this summer. The Chicago Bulls would actually have to be willing to make that trade but the Lakers theoretically would have the assets to bring Caruso back.
Chicago would have to be in a place where they are blowing everything up and committing to a rebuild, though. While that seems unlikely, it certainly is possible and we see teams do this almost every summer. Look at the Utah Jazz from last year.
The Bulls are right at the luxury tax for next season and they are a middling team. Zach LaVine has all the makings of being the next disgruntled star that wants out and DeMar DeRozan is only under contract for one more year.
With Lonzo Ball likely missing all of next season with another knee surgery, the Bulls would probably be smart to get as much as they can now rather than middling in mediocrity like the Washington Wizards.
That would result in the team potentially shopping Caruso. Los Angeles can make the money work as the team could trade Mo Bamba for Caruso as the salary filler. Mamba’s contract is non-guaranteed next season so this would allow the Bulls to completely free up the money if that is the direction they want to go.
LA would obviously have to trade draft capital and the team would be capable of trading its first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. A package of Bamba, a 2023 first and a future second-round pick or two could absolutely be enough for Caruso.
22 players the Lakers gave up on too early. dark. Next
Then the Lakers would have a roster that had Caruso, Austin Reaves and Jarred Vanderbilt. Just imagine that.