Revisiting the trade that landed the Thunder their missing piece

While Giddey’s inability to space the floor made headlines last playoffs, Caruso — now in his place — is knocking down threes at a high rate while simultaneously playing superior defense to his younger Australian counterpart. 

From the time the trade was announced, it was a deal that made reasonable sense for both franchises.

Giddey was a jumbo-sized, promising young point guard — 21 years old at the time of the trade — but had somewhat plateaued in his development due to his inconsistent perimeter jumper, Caruso, on the other hand, was a proven commodity with both a knack for playing lockdown perimeter defense and, understandably, a significantly lower ceiling. 

But for two clubs heading in ostensibly opposite directions, the trade, even from the time it was first announced, was not one that needed much explanation. 

Fast forward nearly a year later, and despite the Bulls being bounced from the first round of the play-in tournament, and the Thunder on the path to a Finals birth, it feels fair to deem this trade a win-win. 

For his part, Giddey undoubtedly had his moments — including perhaps the moment of the season — and showed great improvement during his first season with the Bulls. Providing career highs in rebounds, assists, steals and blocks per game, Giddey proved himself to be a valuable piece. 

The only question that remains, as Giddey’s restricted free-agency looms, is whether the Bulls are ready to foot the bill of how truly valuable the young point guard has proven himself to be. 

For Caruso, a player who’s averaged double figures just once in his career, it's never really about the statistical production. The former Texas A&M Aggie consistently delivers on the intangibles and the hustle plays, and for a team as heavily loaded with offensive weaponry as the Thunder are, that's all they really need. 

Just take the Thunder’s most recent Game 7 matchup against the Denver Nuggets, for example. In a game which many would consider one of the most important games in franchise history, the Thunder entrusted the 6-foot-5, 185-pound Caruso to be the main point-of-attack defender on three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. 

And the results? A massive 125-93 Game 7 win, and modest production from Jokic.

Of course, Caruso alone could not have held Jokic in check, and heaps of credit need to be handed to head coach Mark Daigneault and the entire Thunder coaching staff for their defensive strategy. But the fact that Caruso is a versatile enough defender to allow Oklahoma City to play the way it does and implement the defensive schemes it does speaks volumes to the overall impact of the former undrafted free agent.

There's a reason that Caruso remains a crucial member of coach Daigneault’s playoff rotation despite Oklahoma City’s roster being littered with a plethora of lottery picks and first-round talent. Caruso provides irreplaceable defensive tenacity and offensive malleability; something which doesn't necessarily make him a better player than Giddey, but makes him a superior fit on the Thunder. 

As the sole player on the Thunder’s roster with a championship on his resume, look for Caruso to carry on, leading with both his words and his actions, as he continues to display his continual Game 7 mindset.