Alex Caruso’s Contract Extension With the OKC Thunder Is a Bargain
OKC, the Best Team in the West This Season Got Their Xmas Shopping Done Early
OKC Made the Smartest Move Extending Caruso
In a move that should make every Oklahoma City Thunder fan happy, senior ESPN NBA news reporter Shams Charania has reported that OKC has signed star guard and one of the best defenders in the league, Alex Caruso, to a four-year $81M contract extension.
Oklahoma City Thunder two-time NBA All-Defensive Team guard Alex Caruso has agreed to a four-year, $81 million contract extension with the franchise, his agent Greg Lawrence of Wasserman told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/22YqvnXaOd
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 22, 2024
As many NBA rumors followers have probably noticed before, OKC has never been a team wary of giving players long-term extensions that easily. But when it comes to a player who has almost single-handedly transformed the team’s defensive vision, how could the Thunder skip on that move and let Caruso hit the free agency market come next season?
Who Cares if He Slips on Offense? Caruso Is a Beast on Defense
Having already played in 19 regular season NBA games, it’s become more than apparent that Caruso, a two-time NBA All-Defensive Team honoree, has become a pivotal part of OKC’s functioning.
In a conference as competitive as the West, where every single team has at least one offensive stud it can rely on, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander being “him” for OKC, finding a player that can fit that same need on the defensive side of the ball has become a premium commodity for teams looking to be NBA title contenders.
Caruso is not the kind of player that will run up the scoreboard, nor will he be the man you look for to lead an offensive comeback. But what you can expect from him is tons of effort, grit, and, above all, some killer defensive skills.
I asked Mark Daigneault about what he likes most about what Alex Caruso brings to the table off the bench for the Thunder.
Mark went on to compliment Caruso’s energy, unique skillset and discuss the sort of attributes that he likes in players coming off the bench. pic.twitter.com/l0JzF8KyNZ
— Michael Martin (@MichaelOnSports) December 22, 2024
His efforts coming off the bench, as well as the much-needed dose of veteran leadership he’s brought to a rather young but nonetheless hungry and explosive Thunder team, has made Caruso a must-have for OKC right now and in the long run.
Caruso Has Been Everything the Thunder Expected From Him
If you were one of the people who took joy when the Thunder traded Josh Giddey away to the Bulls to get Caruso, let me take a second and congratulate you. You, whoever and wherever you are, understand that basketball is just as about scoring as playing some elite defense.
The OKC guard is right up there with the best defenders in the league regarding various stat lines. Just look up any of Alex Caruso’s stats from this season alone, and it’ll take a second if not less, to see and understand that his effect on the team is undeniable in the best way possible.
Worth every single penny. Alex Caruso has a case for greatest guard defender of all-time.
Below are the 10 greatest 3-year defensive EPM peaks since 2002 — if his production holds this year, Caruso is slated to appear at 9th and he will be the only guard to appear anywhere in… https://t.co/8EwJcaPbtS pic.twitter.com/4lsj6umcbw
— Maurya K. (KR) (@TheFlarescreen) December 23, 2024
Speaking on this season alone, Caruso is posting career-high numbers when it comes to steals, having a 4.5% steal rate and doubling down on a stat I would not have necessarily thought about when thinking of him: a 3.2% block rate.
Alex Caruso 👏
2016: Undrafted
2020: NBA Champion (Lakers)
2023: All-Defense 1st Team (Bulls)
2024: $81M extension (Thunder) pic.twitter.com/dduHRE0EiJ— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 23, 2024
Easily put, whoever made the Alex Caruso trade to OKC, pad yourselves in the back. And if by any chance you’re also responsible for this extension, pad yourself again. You are doing the Thunder right with moves like these.
