Caruso is well-known as a top role player and there will be a bidding war at the deadline from contenders that need an extra 3 and D guy. He is a strong defender and is shooting 46% from 3. He only left LA is because they preferred to spend on guys with more upside. He's not great for the Rockets because we need a starting SG, not a role player who is about to age out of his productive window. He's the kind of player you trade for when you are already a 50 win team.
So you admit they aren't the same player. Jalen can only dream of ever becoming as efficient on offense as Zach LaVine. Good chance it never happens. There is also a close to nil chance someone pays him a max contract like LaVine. I don't think you've actually watched Zach LaVine much at all. His biggest problem is an outsized ego and sometimes toxic attitude. Unlike Jalen, his production and efficiency have always been good. I never thought Jalen's attitude was an issue. His biggest problem is being an inefficient chucker with weak handles and low basketball IQ.
If we approached the Bulls and asked for Caruso for Oladipo, we'd laughed out the building. Oladipo has not played meaningful minutes for 3 seasons and his body is shot to pieces.
Green for Caruso alone should be enough salary wise. No need to be boggled down by LaVine's big contract. Bulls would not want dipo, but if they're rebuilding, they would take Jalen Green for sure. In this hypothetical, Stone would ask for additional compensation (some draft picks).
