Report: Prior to the trade deadline, the Warriors almost acquired the Bulls guard.

The Warriors finished strong before the All-Star break, winning eight of their last 10 games, which could set them up well for the rest of the season. The return of Gary Payton II and Moses Moody, along with the imminent comeback of Chris Paul, puts the Warriors close to full strength for the first time this season—a positive development in their quest for a playoff spot.

Leading up to the February 8 trade deadline, there were indications that the Warriors were close to acquiring Alex Caruso from the Bulls, which could have significantly boosted their playoff push. However, the deal fell through, and according to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Bulls seriously considered trading Caruso but ultimately decided against it.

While the exact trade offer from Golden State wasn’t specified by Stein, Bulls beat writer K.C. Johnson mentioned that the Warriors inquired about Jonathan Kuminga’s availability, a proposition that the Bulls rejected. Caruso, known for his stellar defense and a 40-percent three-point shooting rate this season, could have addressed the Warriors’ perimeter defense issues, especially with the decline in Klay Thompson’s lateral quickness.

Despite missing out on Caruso, the Warriors are optimistic that Gary Payton II, a crucial part of their 2022 championship run, stays healthy and regains his defensive prowess to bolster the team’s efforts moving forward.