Oklahoma City agrees on a 4-year, $81 million contract extension with Alex Caruso.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have extended the agreement of their defensive standout, Alex Caruso, adding a staggering four years and $81 million to his existing deal, effective from July 1st.
This move is advantageous for both sides, as Caruso continues to excel as one of the NBA's top defenders, and his integration into the Thunder team has been seamless following his transfer from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Josh Giddey.
The 30-year-old may not be delivering at the same scoring and shooting level as he did last season, converting only 27% of his triples, but this apparent offensive slump hasn't deterred team manager Sam Presti or head coach Mark Daigneault, both of whom have praised Caruso since his arrival.
This latest accolade in Caruso's career is significant, considering he was an undrafted talent in 2016, didn't make his NBA debut until age 23, and saw minimal court time (62 games, 1,093 minutes) throughout his first two seasons.
Gaining recognition and earning over $120 million in career income at age 25 is a substantial testament to Caruso's tenacity, energy, and influential impact on the court.
Boasting the league's best defense, the Oklahoma City Thunder have permitted just 103.5 points per 100 possessions throughout the season, a significant improvement fostered by the incorporation of Caruso and center Isaiah Hartenstein.
With aspirations of a championship title, Oklahoma City recognizes the necessity of Caruso maintaining his formidable defensive presence, both now and in the future, to bolster their chances of a successful playoff run.
The signature of this contract further emphasizes the Thunder's success in the previously mentioned trade with the Bulls. Caruso's defensive prowess has synergized flawlessly with the current roster, while Giddey has encountered obstacles in Chicago, particularly in the defensive realm.
For the Thunder to transform a defensive deficit into one of the league's leading defensive units, without sacrificing a single draft pick, is undeniably one of the most impressive maneuvers of the 2024-2025 NBA season.
As a reminder, unless specified otherwise, all statistics sourced from NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. Salary data courtesy of Spotrac. All odds courtesy of* FanDuel Sportsbook***.
- Despite his current lower scoring and shooting percentage, the Chicago Bulls seem to miss the defensive contributions of Alex Caruso, who was acquired by the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey.
- Mark Daigneault, the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, has been vocal about his appreciation for Alex Caruso's defensive abilities, crediting him for strengthening the team's defense.
- Sam Presti, the general manager of the Oklahoma City Thunder, is thrilled with the team's decision to extend Alex Caruso's contract, stating that his impact on both the team's defense and team dynamics has been vital.
- With the signing of Alex Caruso to a new four-year, $81 million contract, the NBA's 'Three-Point Contest' champion Mark Daigneault-led Oklahoma City Thunder continues to build a strong foundation for their future, aiming to compete with powerhouse teams like the Chicago Bulls.
