The Oklahoma City Thunder shocked the NBA world last season, earning the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Previously, the Thunder had not made the playoffs since the 2019-20 season. Furthermore, they were just two seasons removed from a 24-58 campaign. Ultimately, the Thunder lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the second round of the playoffs, but their season was promising nonetheless. They were led by MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Coach of the Year Mark Daigneault. And this offseason, the team only got better, adding veterans Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso. For the first time in a long time, the Thunder are legitimate championship contenders.
In a recent press conference, Thunder GM Sam Presti spoke about the outlook of the team and many players. One specific player he talked about was Caruso, who the team acquired from the Chicago Bulls in the offseason. Caruso is entering the final year of his four-year, $37 million contract. However, Presti made it clear that he wants to keep the guard around for the long haul.
“We can’t have that conversation until December. When we can we will [have that conversation]…We know enough to want to have him here for a really long time,” Presti said of Caruso.
Sam Presti Names Thunder Player He Wants Around Long-Term
Why Alex Caruso Is a Good Fit for the Oklahoma City Thunder
Caruso is one of the best defending guards in the entire NBA. He is pesky and has developed a reputation as one of the best hustle players in the NBA. In the backcourt, he will complement Gilgeous-Alexander perfectly. Additionally, he shot 40.8% from beyond the arc last season and has championship experience, winning it all with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. On the court, he is a fantastic addition to the team. However, according to Presti, Caruso is just as good off the court.
In the press conference, Presti spoke about Caruso’s character and what he brings as a person, citing these as reasons he wants to keep the 30-year-old around.
“I think it’s clear that he fits a lot of the characteristics and the criteria that we value. Having had him here starting with the Blue, every time I say that, we’re also admitting that we completely fumbled the ball on that, but we also did identify him, but we weren’t smart enough to keep him,” Presti said. “We know, I think, enough to want to have him here for a really long time based on his performance at his different stops but the human that we know from having been around him in the short time that he was here.”
The Last Word On Alex Caruso
We have yet to see Caruso in a Thunder jersey (in the NBA, at least), but it is still a no-brainer to re-sign him if the option is there. He is a great role player who should elevate the Thunder on both sides of the court. Caruso earned an All-Defensive Team selection in each of the last two seasons. With the Thunder, it will not be a surprise for him to earn another nod, and maybe more.
