Ranking each Bulls target the Lakers might trade for this season

1. Alex Caruso

You knew this was coming before you even clicked on the article. Alex Caruso is one of the most beloved Lakers role players in recent history and he should have never signed with the Bulls in the first place. Los Angeles had ever opportunity to bring him back and fumbled the situation as poorly as the team possibly could have.

Just like with DeRozan, the Lakers may have the chance to rectify a previous mistake and bring Caruso back into the fold. Caruso may not be an elite scorer or some kind of offensive mastermind but he would undoubtedly make the Lakers a better team with his stout perimeter defense.

Caruso has slowed down a step since he was on the Lakers but he is still one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Even once Jarred Vanderbilt returns, the Lakers could use an extra perimeter defender to throw at other players and get stops in key spots.

LeBron James and Caruso had the best two-man net rating in the entire league during the Lakers’ title season. Caruso knows what it takes to success next to LeBron and next to the playmakers LA now has, he could be even more special.

The cost for Caruso, despite his defensive value, likely wouldn’t be that high. The Lakers would have to likely part ways with 2023 first-round pick Jalen Hood-Schifino as well as one or two future second-round picks, but that is worth what Caruso would bring back to LA.