In this scenario, the Knicks become the Caruso destination, who I believe fits the Knicks defensive culture + gives them some shooting and playmaking that’ll help relieve pressure in non-Brunson minutes. Lonzo is essentially salary-filler. But if he ever becomes healthy, he could be another reliable PG who plays great defense, playmaking, and before he got injured, reliable 3-point shooting. And if he’s injured for the whole year, it gives the Knicks an expiring salary to use in a trade or help create cap space in the next off-season. So depth-wise, here’s what it looks like for the Knicks:

PG: Brunson, McBride, Ball SG: DiVincenzo, Caruso SF: Anunoby, Hart PF: Randle, Achiuwa C: Hartenstein, Achiuwa, Sims

For the Bulls, this trade gets you back multiple firsts for Caruso, and a sneakily good 2025 Brooklyn second-round pick that could become pretty valuable. But player-wise, you get back a proven, veteran shooter in Bogdanovic, and a slightly younger defensive monster in Mitch to pair alongside Demar, Coby, LaVine, and Ayo. Not only that, but it gives Vooch some room to try move around the floor more with reliable rim-protection + rebounding in Robinson + Drummond. And in the end, if they don’t work, you can tank for a stacked 2025 Draft Class and try to land #1 Pick with your own Pick. Depth-wise, here’s what it looks like for the Bulls:

PG: Coby, Carter SG: LaVine, Dosumnu SF: Demar, Craig PF: Williams, Vucevic, Green C: Vucevic, Robinson, Drummond

Unfortunately this might be unrealistic, because Chicago has been adamant to blow it up. But I think the Knicks could make a decent package (with the “sweetening of the pot” move of taking Lonzo’s contract) to get Alex Caruso to an already stacked defensive team.

What do you think? Let me know (or have it) in the comments.