Getty Alex Caruso of the Chicago Bulls is pressured by Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors.
With less than a month before the February 9 trade deadline, the New York Knicks are interested in pursuing Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso, according to a new report. And fans and pundits seem to mostly agree about whether Caruso would be a great asset on the Knicks’ second unit.
“Just so yall know, a back up backcourt of IQ and Caruso in the playoffs will win us some games,” tweeted one fan, referring to Immanuel Quickley.
“Caruso defense much needed for the Knicks. Throw Chicago a second rounder or two and keep it moving,” tweeted another fan.
The pursuit of Caruso was the subject of a January 14 story by NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson, who also reported that the Golden State Warriors were interested in him, too.
“The defensive-minded guard would be a plug-and-play reserve — and closer — for virtually any contender or team serious about making a playoff push,” Johnson wrote. “Golden State has been one prominently mentioned rumor. The Knicks, who have been scouting the Bulls closely of late, are another team on which to keep an eye.”
Caruso, 28, has proved himself to be a quality role player throughout his six-year career, playing a key role for the Los Angeles Lakers during their 2020 championship run. He averaged 6.3 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 37.5% shooting from distance during the Finals.
Watching Alex Caruso play >>>
Positive & Negative Reaction to Alex Caruso-to-New York Knicks Report
Since signing with the Bulls back in 2021, Caruso has continued to establish himself as a reliable two-way contributor, sporting averages of 6.5 points, 3.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals on 35.9% shooting from distance while boasting an impressive box plus-minus rating of 2.6.
“Definitely seems like a player Thibs would love,” the KnicksMuse account tweeted, referring to Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Knicks have been linked to a possible trade for Alex Caruso. Definitely seems like a player Thibs would love.
Many were quick to bring up Caruso’s defense-first approach to the game and how it could fit well within New York’s top-10 rated unit.
“A winning, defensive-minded player that would improve any team he’s on,” tweeted podcaster Tommy Beer.
“Alex Caruso would be a bad option off the bench for the Knicks,” tweeted one fan.
ALEX CARUSO WOULDN’T BE A BAD OPTION OFF THE BENCH FOR THE KNICKS
#NewYorkForever #Knicks #alexcaruso #BullsNation #nba #NBATwitter
“Caruso coming off the bench next to IQ??” tweeted one fan.
Caruso coming off the bench next to IQ??
Some fans, however, questioned the logic behind the team’s interest, especially when considering he’d take away minutes from developing young players such as Miles McBride.
“What does Caruso that Quickley and McBride can’t lol,” tweeted one fan.
@bmorelikestate @dipjce @LFCEoin_ @Christian_J_D_M @eepdllc @TruePG718 @ShannonTFortune @Freekeith @DonaldP47082631 @EdMemphisPimpin @_knicks1688 @Knickanator_ @Not47Buddz @Trace_AVP @rahmmagick @BrownsvilleNYK @Rick__War @RAMEL927 @MindNy77 @0oty_Mac @Statspeg @net_steven @eski225 @texan_wes @TNMPodcast_ @KnicksBig15 @queens_dude @GodSonRel @bradpittjrr @AngelBeingAngel @acinformal @Woodshed_1914 @_BillyHoyleofNJ @PodKnicks @NYCtoCincy @TMal761 @PastorCoach917 @ZamundaServant @FireThibodeau @Marxman35 @LegionOfKnicks @Drivingthepaint @DaBabyKnicks @KeepTomThibs @RaphaelDiaz @knicks_22 @BadBadLeroyBro7 @StatefromHarlem @ScottPerryGM What does Caruso do that Quickley and McBride can’t lol?
“Knicks need off the bench scoring. Caruso doesn’t give teams that,” one fan tweeted in response to KnickMuse’s post.
@KnicksMuse Knicks need off the bench scoring. Caruso doesn’t give teams that.
“Caruso not moving no needles this year and is going to be washed by time this team peaks,” one fan tweeted.
@Christian_J_D_M @J1gg__ @bmorelikestate @LFCEoin_ @eepdllc @TruePG718 @ShannonTFortune @Freekeith @DonaldP47082631 @EdMemphisPimpin @_knicks1688 @Knickanator_ @Not47Buddz @Trace_AVP @rahmmagick @BrownsvilleNYK @Rick__War @RAMEL927 @MindNy77 @0oty_Mac @Statspeg @net_steven @eski225 @texan_wes @TNMPodcast_ @KnicksBig15 @queens_dude @GodSonRel @bradpittjrr @AngelBeingAngel @acinformal @Woodshed_1914 @_BillyHoyleofNJ @PodKnicks @NYCtoCincy @TMal761 @PastorCoach917 @ZamundaServant @FireThibodeau @Marxman35 @LegionOfKnicks @Drivingthepaint @DaBabyKnicks @KeepTomThibs @RaphaelDiaz @knicks_22 @BadBadLeroyBro7 @StatefromHarlem @ScottPerryGM We are still building I’m looking at upside in any trade. Caruso not moving no needles this year and is going to be washed by time this team peaks.
New York Knicks Express ‘Interest’ in Indiana Pacers Center
The Knicks also have “registered interest” in the Indiana Pacers’ Myles Turner if extension talks between him and the team fall through, according to a January 12 story by Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer.
Now in his eighth season, Turner is posting stellar averages of 17.0 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game on 55.2% shooting from the floor and 37.9% shooting from deep.
Myles Turner is having himself a night.
Fischer wrote that the Knicks could use their “hoard of draft capital” to entice Indiana to part ways with Turner, though he acknowledged that the recent play of Mitchell Robinson “might quell any of New York’s attempts to upgrade its frontcourt.”
On December 15, Fischer wrote that the Knicks were going to be one of the most active teams on the trade market.