The Boston Celtics had one of the busiest summers in the NBA heading into 2023-24. This team added Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday to their roster. The Celtics appeared to have built a powerhouse, and so far, that’s held up.
This has been an impressive display of team building. The Celtics put together a roster that can compete for the NBA title. Perhaps most impressively, they’ve still got the assets to get another deal done if they feel as if they need to make another move.
Why not? This team has a real title window – the Celtics should maximize it. If they could add another impactful guard to their rotation, they could be title favorites. How about Alex Caruso of the Chicago Bulls?
The Trade Proposal
Chicago Bulls receive: G Payton Pritchard, 2025 First-Round Pick (BOS), 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap – BOS), 2030 First-Round Pick (Swap – BOS)
Boston Celtics receive: G/F Alex Caruso
The Bulls weren’t especially busy this summer. They didn’t do much of anything. Was that the right decision? Should the Bulls have been more active?
Most would argue that they should have done something. Of course, fans wanted the Bulls to make a move at the 2022-23 trade deadline as well. This team seems prone to inaction.
Will that trend continue at this year’s deadline? The Bulls have looked a little better of late. This team is on the cusp of playoff contention. Should they move Caruso now?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
Yes. The Bulls are ninth in the Eastern Conference. So what? This team is still mediocre. The Bulls have no serious title ambitions. This team should be sellers as the trade deadline approaches.
That starts with Caruso. It’s been reported that Zach LaVine has zero trade value around the NBA. By contrast, Caruso is likely the Bulls’ best trade chip. With that in mind, they should move him for as much draft capital as they can find.
An unprotected first and a pair of swaps ought to do the trick. Meanwhile, Pritchard is a much younger guard who can be part of this team’s future. He’s an elite shooter and a good decision-maker with the ball in his hands. Should the Celtics part with him?
Why The Boston Celtics Do The Deal
Yes. If this team is on the table, the Celtics should pounce on it. They’ve already got two of the best defensive guards in the NBA in Holiday and Derrick White. Why not triple down on their identity by acquiring Caruso?
With that said, the pieces need to fit. Here, they do. Caruso is a capable floor spacer, and so is White. Holiday is best with the ball in his hands, but he can thrive alongside either Caruso or White. The Celtics would likely deploy Caruso as their sixth man.
Who’s going to score on them with that trio in the backcourt? The Celtics will intimidate opponents on a nightly basis – especially with Porzingis and Al Horford sharing time in the middle. Following this deal, the Celtics could be busy again this summer – celebrating an NBA championship.
