One NBA writer is proposing that the Dallas Mavericks acquire Alex Caruso from the Chicago Bulls.

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Mavericks and Bulls:

The Chicago Bulls trade Alex Caruso to the Dallas Mavericks for Josh Green and a 2026 first-round pick (top-three-protected)

The Bulls are not interested in trading Caruso, sources told NBA Analysis Network. However, if Chicago is not in the play-in picture near the trade deadline in February, the appeal of getting a first-round pick for Caruso may be too hard to pass up.

“The Mavs need all of the defensive help you’d expect in a team following the lead of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving,” Buckley wrote. “They rank 22nd on that end, and that’s actually an improvement from last season (25th). Caruso, an All-Defensive first-teamer last season, would be the closest this club could find to a cure-all fix, as his energy and athleticism allow him to play much bigger than his 6’5″, 186-pound frame.”

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks Updates

Caruso is averaging 9.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks this season while shooting 50.2% from the field, 42.4% from beyond the arc and 77.1% from the free-throw line. The 29-year-old is making $9.5 million.

“The Bulls should still be aiming for something greater than Play-In Tournament participation, and their best bet for getting there (eventually) is converting their veterans into long-term assets,” Buckley wrote. “The draft pick would be the biggest draw.”

Caruso signed a four-year, $37 million contract with the Bulls in August 2021. The Texas A&M product is one of the best defenders in the NBA and he is the top trade asset Chicago has.

The Mavericks could start Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Caruso, Grant Williams and Dereck Lively II. That’s a versatile starting lineup with scoring, shooting, playmaking and defense.

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks Updates

Caruso has career averages of 6.4 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Los Angeles Lakers and Bulls. The Texas native helped the Lakers win the 2020 championship over the Miami Heat at the Walt Disney World bubble.

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