(670 The Score) The Bulls will sign guard Alex Caruso to a four-year, $37-million deal, ESPN reported Monday evening as NBA free agency opened.
Caruso, 27, has played the last four seasons with the Lakers, averaging 5.9 points and 2.4 assists per game, primarily in a reserve role. He averaged 6.4 points and 2.8 assists while shooting 40.1% on 3-pointers in 58 games last season. The 6-foot-4 Caruso is also is strong defender.
Caruso is set to rejoin former Lakers teammate Lonzo Ball, whom the Bulls will acquire in a sign-and-trade with the Pelicans after the sides agreed to a four-year, $85-million deal, according to reports.
Caruso's contract could fit into the Bulls' full mid-level exception, which was at their disposal as they've operated as an over-the-cap team in free agency. It's also possible Caruso's deal could be added in a three-way trade between the Rockets, Bulls and Lakers. Big man Daniel Theis is leaving Chicago to join Houston in a sign-and-trade, and that could be expanded to include Los Angeles. If the Lakers don't want to play ball, it's also possible the Bulls could absorb Caruso's deal in a trade exception. The advantage in such cases for Chicago is that it would keep its mid-level exception open.
The Bulls haven't yet made either deal official, as teams can't officially sign free agents until Friday. With their backcourt remade, the biggest storyline to follow for the Bulls as free agency continues is the future of big man Lauri Markkanen, who's a restricted free agent. That gives the Bulls matching rights on any offer sheet he signs. Chicago could also move Markkanen in a sign-and-trade and look to get other players/assets back.