While it was just rumors and speculation, two-time all defensive guard Alex Caruso had been rumored as a potential trade target for the Atlanta Hawks this offseason. Now, Caruso is being dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the offseason’s first blockbuster trade. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski dropped a bombshell trade just minutes ago that sends Caruso to the Thunder for Josh Giddey.

Here is what else Wojnarowski had to say about the trade:

“The trade delivers the Thunder one of the league’s most coveted role players, a 30-year old guard who GM Sam Presti has long pursued for the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed. Caruso’s arrival could be seen as an addition comparable to the Golden State Warriors acquisition of Andre Iguodala in 2013. Both were 30 years old.

The Bulls have been determined to find a playmaker to replace Lonzo Ball, and Giddey , 21, comes with an All-Star potential that would unlikely be realized with the Thunder because of the playmaking starpower who surrounded him. The Bulls will offer him an opportunity to have the ball in his hands and so much more freedom pass and score.

Caruso is entering the final year of his deal and becomes eligible for a four-year, approximately $80M extension exactly six months from the date of this trade. The Thunder made the trade with the hope to have Caruso as an integral player for the long-term.”

This is obviously massive news across the league, as it gives the Thunder a huge piece to try and go win a championship this season while the Bulls get a young player in return. While there were no real reports linking Caruso to the Hawks, it was easy to see him as a potential fit next to Trae Young, as a point-of-attack defender (something Atlanta sorely needs) and a good three-point shooter. Caruso could make a weak defense better, but now he will hope to make a really good defense the best in the league.

Bleacher Report analyst Grant Hughes listed Caruso as the top “ambitious” trade candidate for the Hawks this offseason:

“The Atlanta Hawks seem likely to bust up the Trae Young-Dejounte Murray backcourt, but it’s unclear which of the two guards is likeliest to go. If it’s Murray who winds up leaving via trade, Atlanta should focus on supporting Young with the best defensive running mate possible.

That sounds like Alex Caruso, an All-Defensive honoree in each of the last two seasons.

Caruso’s current team, the Chicago Bulls, already have Coby White in place as their point guard. That means a Murray-for-Caruso swap wouldn’t make sense. Atlanta could send Murray to a destination in greater need of his services and reroute some of the assets to the Bulls in a package for the star stopper.

No guard who logged at least 25 games last season posted a higher Defensive Estimated Plus/Minus than Caruso, who rates as one of the rare backcourt players whose impact approaches that of the typically more valuable paint-protecting big man. His ability to disrupt at the point of attack, blow up screening actions and force opposing ball-handlers away from their spots can change the outcome of entire games.

Murray overlapped more than expected with Young, and the Hawks didn’t look nearly different enough after adding him at the 2023 trade deadline. Caruso would bring a more fundamental change to Atlanta’s makeup, adding an element of predatory defense that simply hasn’t been there.”

Now that Caruso is off the board, the Hawks will have to look elsewhere.

ATLANTA – Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson is facing multiple charges after she was arrested early Thursday in Atlanta.

Jail records obtained by FOX 5 reveal Peterson is facing felony obstruction of a police officer by using threats or violence and simple battery against a police officer.

Officials have not said what led to the charges against Peterson at this time, but said that there was an “early morning incident” at the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge on Peachtree Road in Buckhead.

The judge was scheduled to have her first appearance at Fulton County Magistrate Court on Thursday morning, but waived her appearance. 

Christina Peterson (Fulton County Sheriff’s Office)

Douglas County probate judge found guilty of “systematic incompetence”

In April, Peterson was found guilty by a Judicial Qualifications Commission panel of “systemic incompetence,” with the panel recommending that she be removed from office. 

The first-time judge has also been the subject of several FOX 5 I-Team investigations since she took office in late 2020.

The panel determined Peterson ignored courthouse rules, abused courthouse personnel, made inappropriate posts on social media and, in repeated cases, failed to do her job.

The decision came after four separate hearings that began in September 2023. She faced 30 counts of misconduct.

In their report, the hearing panel said Peterson was guilty of “systemic incompetence… (Judges) are expected to act in a manner that promotes the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. Respondent has shown that she cannot — or will not — do so. And so she must go.”

The Georgia Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to approve the hearing panel’s recommendation at a later date.

Things seem to be getting back on track in Atlanta, with their first series sweep in a while, as the organization is seeing some success in the minors as well. Crucially for Atlanta, the bats seem to be thawing, with Austin Riley hitting the ball very well over the last handful of games and Sean Murphy having an explosive breakout game against the formidable Tarik Skubal and Tigers’ bullpen Wednesday. Jared Kelenic also seems to be hitting the ball well in his own right, as he slowly seems to be growing into his role in Atlanta and his talent. Meanwhile the starting pitching continues to be spectacular, lead by our steady Max Fried in potentially his last season in Atlanta, and shrewd offseason additions Chris Sale and Reynaldo Lopez. Spencer Schwellenbach deserves significant credit as well for his work at the back of the rotation, coming straight from AA.

Braves News

The Braves’ high-A affiliate, the Rome Emperors clinched a playoff spot, on a team featuring some interesting prospects.

Kris put together some takeaways from this recent Atlanta sweep of the Tigers, featuring some thawing bats and dominant pitching.

Sean Murphy had a breakout performance at the plate and Reynaldo Lopez continued to rack up strong starts, as the Braves secured a sweep with a 7-0 win.

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MLB News

Walker Buehler is hitting the IL for the Dodgers with a hip injury, as he has had a shaky return from Tommy John thus far.

Kyle Bradish got his Tommy John surgery with the internal brace, and will miss close to a year for Baltimore’s promising young team.

Toronto released the iconic Daniel Vogelbach, after designating him for assignment last week.

The Cubs traded minor league catcher Ali Sanchez to Miami for cash considerations.