Bulls Rumors: Alex Caruso Trade Would Require Multiple 1st-Rounders at NBA Deadline

The Chicago Bulls "would need multiple first-round picks to even consider" a trade involving guard Alex Caruso, according to Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer.

Fischer listed Caruso as a prospective target for the Milwaukee Bucks, who fired head coach Adrian Griffin on Tuesday. His departure was a sign the organization isn't happy with its start to the year despite having the second-best record (30-13) in the Eastern Conference.

Caruso is averaging 9.9 points, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals through 38 appearances for Chicago. He's also shooting 42.0 percent from three-point range, the second-best rate of his career.

The 29-year-old's two-way abilities make him a coveted asset for any team with playoff aspirations. For the Bucks specifically, he'd be a great defensive foil to Damian Lillard in the backcourt.

Unfortunately for Milwaukee, it doesn't sound like Chicago is compelled to sell just yet.

The Bulls are ninth in the Eastern Conference at 21-24. Many will argue the time has long since passed for the front office to execute a rebuild. The team simply isn't good enough to make a deep playoff run if it even gets that far, and re-signing DeMar DeRozan, a free agent in the offseason, would mean doubling down on a failed strategy.

That's not stopping Chicago from playing hardball with Caruso. NBA insider Marc Stein reported in December the team was "flat-out resistant" to a trade, and setting an asking price at "multiple" first-rounders might convey the same message.

Perhaps Marc Eversley will change his tune in the offseason. Caruso will be entering the final year of his contract, and failing to retain DeRozan would mean a rebuild is almost unavoidable.

The danger is that Caruso's trade value may have diminished slightly by that point thanks to his expiring salary. The Bulls could come to regret not selling high.