12 Way-too-early 2024 trade deadline candidates for Celtics to monitor

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 24: Alex Caruso #6 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles against Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the second half at United Center on October 24, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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Alex Caruso (David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports) /

Alex Caruso, Chicago Bulls

Objective speaking, there’s at least a non-zero chance that the Boston Celtics get close to the NBA Trade Deadline and come to the quick realization that they truly miss Marcus Smart. Unfortunately for the Celtics, there’s no way they could go back on that decision to trade Smart. However, they could attempt to explore the next best possible option – finding a Smart type of player on the trade market. One player that could very well find his way to the trade block by mid-season is Alex Caruso. And he’s very much a Smart-lite player.

On a much smaller scale, Caruso is a similar type of player as Smart. Caruso is coming off a season in which he averages six points per game on 36 percent shooting from 3-point range but the entire impact that he makes for a team goes much further than his counting stats. If the Chicago Bulls decide to pull the plug on this current build, Caruso could be a highly targeted player at the trade deadline.

He’s tough, experienced, and knows his role to a T. If Boston gets to a point where they feel they need a backup point guard or combo guard, due to injury or perhaps another move they end up making, Caruso should be on their radar.

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