The 2024 NBA Trade Deadline is still a few months away, and the first major deal just went down with the Toronto Raptors trading OG Anunoby to the New York Knicks.
More so than in recent years, it feels like there will be a good amount of household names featured in the rumor mill leading up to the deadline. Things could get exciting as opposing teams look to add a piece or two to push them over the top or make them a dark horse. That said, let us take five players who have been heavily mentioned in trade rumors and predict where they will finish the season.
Alex Caruso - Chicago Bulls
There will be several Chicago Bulls featured on this list, the first of which is Alex Caruso. With Chicago off to a slow start, rumors have been swirling that they may undergo a rebuild, which could certainly start a bidding war for Caruso. Almost all of the contenders across the league would likely put in an offer for the guard, as he could be viewed as a needle-tipping addition.
Caruso has made a living in the NBA as a tough defender and energizer. He knows what it takes to win at the highest level, having helped the Los Angeles Lakers win it all in 2020. The guard is also coming off his first All-Defensive campaign, so his value is incredibly high right now, especially considering his $9.5 million salary for this season is beyond reasonable.
Despite all of the interest Caruso would have across the league if made available, all signs point to him sticking in Chicago for the moment. Per The Athletic's Shams Charania (Subscription required), the Bulls have shut down all incoming calls on Caruso at this point. Things could obviously change, but for now, it seems like the Bulls intend to keep the All-Defensive honoree.
Another factor that could make it easier to believe Caruso stays in Chicago is the rumored asking price if the front office does have a change of heart. This past off-season, there were rumors that the Bulls believed they could get upwards of two first round picks for the guard, per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer. It would be hard to imagine a team coughing that up, no matter how desperate.