During his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers, Alex Caruso rose in popularity among Lakers fans for his relentless work rate. In fact, he earned the nickname “Carushow” while donning the purple and gold jersey.
The 27-year-old played a vital role in the Lakers’ 2020 NBA championship run as well. He provided the team with great defense off the bench and occasionally splashed shots from the three-point line.
So it came as a surprise to many when Caruso joined the Chicago Bulls this offseason. While fans had many theories, it is finally revealed why Alex joined chose the Bulls over the Lakers.
Via Lakers Daily
“So going into (free agency), I really didn’t know what to expect, and I really didn’t hear much from any team — including the Lakers — leading up to 6 p.m., and then they called, and the Lakers made their offer. It wasn’t an offer I was going to accept because I was going to be able to get considerably more money from another team.
“There was talk with a bunch of different people about the mid-level, which I think was four (years), $40 million. We never got anybody to that actual number, but there were a couple teams that got close. And then my agent texted me and said ‘hey, Chicago is interested in signing you.’ I didn’t know that financially it was going to be able to work. I thought that once Zo (Lonzo Ball) signed with Chicago, I was like ‘OK, so Chicago is off the list.’
“I got on the phone with (Bulls GM Artūras Karnišovas) and with (head coach Billy Donovan), and the way they were just talking about how they wanted to play and how they saw me as a player, I thought they hit the nail on the head. I thought everything they said, I was like ‘I think that’s accurate, I think that’s what I bring to the table, I think that’s how I can help the team win, I think that’s the direction this team wants to go.’ I thought there was a need for the stuff that I had.
“Essentially we got that offer, went back to L.A., 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, I’m ready to go to Chicago and start the next chapter.’ It’s been great. I think it’s been a great decision for me.”
Apparently, the Lakers offered Caruso less than $15 million for 2 years. It is no surprise that he joined the Bulls and got a deal of $37 million for four years.
Moreover, the Bulls are currently second in the Eastern Conference with a record of 7-3. On the other hand, the Lakers are struggling are just 6-5 right now. All things considered, it seems that Caruso made the right decision.
You can watch Caruso’s interview with JJ Redick right here:
Our guy Alex Caruso (@ACFresh21) on what exactly happened In free agency that led him to The Chicago Bulls.
Full episode w/ Alex drops tomorrow. Subscribe here: https://t.co/3wGZq3EszW pic.twitter.com/U7EqsAgz9q
— TheYoungManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) November 10, 2021
