May 20, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso (9) reacts after scoring a three point basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter during game one of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Lakers Legend Sends Message to Alex Caruso After Reaching NBA Finals

Originally posted on Chicago Bulls on SI
By Logan Struck | Last updated May 30, 2025 12:05 AM ET

After going undrafted, Alex Caruso spent his first four seasons in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers. Caruso became a key glue guy in LA, helping the Lakers win the 2020 NBA Finals, but was still heavily underappreciated.

After four years in LA, Alex Caruso hit free agency and found a team that valued him for what he was worth: The Chicago Bulls. Caruso signed a four-year, $37 million deal with the Bulls, although his time in Chicago was much shorter than fans would have hoped.

After three seasons with the Bulls, Caruso was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey.

BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls are trading two-time All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for guard Josh Giddey, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/V3t12MA3Uo
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 20, 2024

Giddey had a great debut season in Chicago, but Caruso's impact in Oklahoma City has been unmatched. Caruso and the Thunder are now just four wins away from winning the championship after handily beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, and Caruso was a huge reason for that.

Lakers legend and Hall of Fame point guard Magic Johnson took to social media to share a message for Alex Caruso as he heads to the NBA Finals.

Via Earvin Magic Johnson: "Congratulations former Laker and NBA champion Alex Caruso who now plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder and is headed to the NBA Finals!"

Congratulations former Laker and NBA champion Alex Caruso who now plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder and is headed to the NBA Finals!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 29, 2025

Caruso's talent is much more appreciated on a team like the Thunder, as his defensive capabilities were slightly wasted on a Bulls team that was not competing for a championship. Caruso is the ideal guard to have on a championship-caliber team, especially a defensive-minded one like Oklahoma City.

Bulls fans certainly hope they could have held onto Caruso for longer, or at least gotten more from the trade for him, but everything is working out great for the 31-year-old guard.

This article first appeared on Chicago Bulls on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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