Proposed Trade Cuts Rookie, Reunites Lakers With $37 Million Star

The Los Angeles Lakers made some needed changes in the offseason, but managed to keep their core intact. The front office got a few new names and everyone is ready for the new season. Well, according to Zach Buckley from Bleacher Report, the Lakers can pull another trade move and lose a rookie. The good news? They will get fan favorite Alex Caruso back.

“While the Lakers have assembled a deep, talented roster around LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they might not have quite enough backcourt talent to make a title run,” wrote Buckley on September 13. “If they decide to pursue an upgrade at guard, they might consider targeting a familiar face.”

Losing Caruso didn’t sit well with some Lakers fans and having him back would be great news! So, LA is getting their former star back, and Chicago will be getting Jalen Hood-Schifino, Jarred Vanderbilt, a 2024 second-round pick, and a 2025 second-round pick.

Caruso has always been a favorite guy in LA and he was on the championship squad a few seasons ago. He signed a four-year deal with the Bulls and fans can’t get over this loss. Talented Caruso averaged 5.6 points, 2.9 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 2022-23. We have a feeling that the Bulls won’t let him go that easily.

Alex Caruso: one of the best defenders in the game. pic.twitter.com/TKRoSoivMv

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) May 9, 2023

“Going back to Hollywood, Caruso could reprise his role as a featured reserve on a championship-focused franchise. Plus, if the Lakers brought him back, they might have enough depth to shop around a player like Russell and fill a different need on the roster, like depth on the wing or down low.”

Lakers could lose the rookie in this trade

Rui Hachimura is probably taking the small forward role this season, meaning Vanderbilt could be on his way out. The Lakers got Hood-Schifino in the 2023 NBA Draft and he came with his own struggles.

Jalen Hood-Schifino no-look dime.
Maxwell Lewis corner three.@Lakers 2023 draft picks connect 🤝

Watch LIVE on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/n9ospga3HG

— NBA (@NBA) July 9, 2023

“Hood-Schifino likely won’t be asked to play a huge role as a rookie for a stacked Lakers team, which is a good thing since … he has plenty to work on,” wrote Paul Kasabian of Bleacher Report on July 14 after the player finished with eight points in the Lakers’ Summer League finale.