Bulls guard Alex Caruso guest appeared on the latest episode of “The Old Man & the Three,” where he discussed the factors involved in him leaving the Lakers for Chicago. Many were shocked to see Alex Caruso depart from Los Angeles this past offseason. He had grown into a fan favorite with the Lakers during his four years there. Despite becoming a key figure in the Lakers rotation, the team opted not to prioritize bringing him back as he entered free agency. The versatile guard gave the organization several opportunities to bring him back but to no avail.
“Essentially, we got [an] offer, went back to LA, asked if they could do the same, they said no. Asked for something else that was a little less, they said no. So I said, ‘OK,’ if that’s what it comes to then I’m ready to go to Chicago and start the next chapter. “
Alex Caruso
That Caruso ultimately ended up signing a four-year deal with the Chicago Bulls worth $36.9M. This signing has already paid dividends as the Bulls have gotten off to their best start in years. They currently stand in a four-way tie with the Miami Heat, Washington Wizards, and Philadelphia 76ers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, his former team, the Lakers, continue their efforts to figure themselves out.
Alex Caruso to the Chicago Bulls
While he clearly showed a desire to remain with the Lakers, Alex Caruso did speak highly of the Bulls’ leadership. Both sides had agreed on what he could bring to the team as well as the caliber of player he’d become. Along with the money they offered, this played a crucial role in his decision to join.
“I got on the phone with [Art?ras Karni�ovas] and Billy [Donovan], and the way they talked about how they wanted to play, how they saw me as a player, I thought they hit the nail on the head. I thought that everything they said, I said I think that’s accurate. That’s what I bring to the table; that’s how I can help the team win.”
Alex Caruso
So far, Chicago has made positive strides towards re-establishing themselves as a playoff team. We will see how Alex Caruso and the Bulls carry on for the remainder of the NBA season.
