Alex Caruso Signs 4-Year, $81 Million Contract Extension With Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder seem to like what they've seen from Alex Caruso this season, as Shams Charania of ESPN is reporting that they are signing him to a 4-year, $81 million contract extension. The Thunder traded for Caruso earlier this year, sending Josh Giddey to them in exchange for the former NBA champion.

This is a brilliant deal for Caruso, who didn't have this high a ceiling on his career when he first entered. Caruso went unselected in the 2017 NBA Draft, joining the Los Angeles Lakers' G-League team. But he got an opportunity with them after they had several players go down with injuries. Caruso impressed the Lakers enough to earn a two-year contract with them in 2019, worth $5.5 million.

In 2020, Caruso played a crucial role in the Lakers. He was one of their best perimeter defenders and was a massive part of their 2020 NBA championship win. His strong performances combined with his tireless hustle made him a fan favorite among Lakers fans.

Caruso was a strong player for the Lakers, averaging 5.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game while shooting 42.9% from the field, 37.7% from the three-point line, and 72.0% from the free-throw line, with a defensive rating of 107.3 But things changed in 2021, as he chose to leave the Lakers after they refused to pay him what he asked for.

Caruso signed a 4-year, $37 million contract with the Chicago Bulls in 2021 after he left the Los Angeles Lakers in free agency to sign with them. He had played well on the Bulls during his three-year stint with the team.

During his time with the Bulls, he helped the team secure the number one seed in the East during the 2021-22 NBA season. The team would fall down the ranks due to injuries to other players, but Caruso definitely played his part well.

Caruso averaged 7.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 44.8% from the field, 38.2% from deep, and 78.5% from the free-throw line as a Bulls player, while maintaining a defensive rating of 111.5.

At the end of the 2023-24 NBA season, Alex Caruso was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey. He has played well on the Thunder, averaging 5.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game while shooting 38.5% from the field, 27.0% from deep, and 77.8% from the free-throw line, with an impressive defensive rating of 99.3

This contract extension rewards him for the great work he has done as a role player, helping the Thunder earn the first seed in the Western Conference, and reach the finals of the NBA Cup.

The expectation is that Caruso's unwavering dedication, along with his championship experience, will assist the Thunder in achieving a significant playoff journey this year, with reaching the Western Conference Finals seen as the minimum standard for a successful season.