On Sunday, Oklahoma City Thunder Guard Alex Caruso reportedly agreed to a four-year, $81 million contract extension. Caruso, 30, was previously on a four-year, $36.98 million contract with the Chicago Bulls from 2021- 2024. Caruso’s contract extension with the Thunder will keep him in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, through the 2028-29 NBA season. Caruso will become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) ahead of the 2029-30 NBA season.
Caruso’s contract extension is steep given the Thunder’s tendency to lean towards low-cost signings. However, Caruso is worth the money, as he’s arguably a player any championship-chasing type of team would want to help fill in the gaps. Caruso is one of the best role players in the NBA. If Caruso stays healthy and consistent, he can help the Thunder make the playoffs and hopefully the NBA Finals. Read on for more details.
Alex Caruso’s Contract Extension
Alex Caruso will remain with the Oklahoma City Thunder through the 2028-29 NBA season after reportedly agreeing to a four-year, $81 million contract extension on Sunday. Caruso has been ecstatic to play with star Point Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also known as “SGA.”
On Sunday, ESPN’s Shams Charania posted on X, formerly Twitter, “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.” Charania’s post on X drew mixed emotions from users, such as user, MFFL Nation, writing, “Overpaid IMO [In My Opinion].”
Gilgeous-Alexander, 26, is widely considered one of the best point guards in the NBA, so Caruso’s excitement shouldn’t come as a surprise. Gilgeous-Alexander’s efficient scoring, versatility, and leadership as a two-way player make him an above-average teammate for any veteran player. Gilgeous-Alexander and Caruso will be two Thunder stars to keep an eye on in the next few years.
Caruso’s Stats This Season
Alex Caruso, who’s under contract for $9.9 million this season, will remain out of the NBA’s free agency after reportedly agreeing to the four-year, $81 million contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. The Thunder announced Caruso’s signing but didn’t specify the terms of the contract extension. In the meantime, Caruso’s stats so far this season aren’t attention-grabbing on paper, but there’s more to know.
So far this season, Caruso has averaged 5.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, while shooting 38.5% from the field and 27.0% from the three-point line. Caruso’s current averages are a slight decrease from his career marks of 6.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 43.7% from the field and 37.3% from the three-point line.
Alex Caruso arrived in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, last season as a highly sought-after supporting cast player and a long-term priority for the Thunder. Caruso, a College Station, Texas, native and Texas A&M alum, previously played for the Los Angeles Lakers for four seasons, including the 2020 NBA Finals, from 2017-2021 before joining the Chicago Bulls for three seasons from 2021-2024. Maybe this is a reason why users, such as MFFL Nation, appear to be negative, as the Dallas Mavericks could use a player like Caruso.
Caruso’s Meaning to the Oklahoma City Thunder
“What is Alex Caruso’s meaning to the Oklahoma City Thunder?” you ask. Caruso’s meaning is subjective, but Caruso has teamed up with Guards Lu Dort and Cason Wallace this season, and the trio has given the Thunder’s stars — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams — three top-flight wing defenders to arguably maintain the best defensive team in the NBA.
Caruso is a versatile player and an arguably elite defensive player. Caruso’s current ranking of second place in the NBA for field goal percentage allowed as a contesting defender among players to contest at least 150 shots adds to his NBA resume since going undrafted in 2016 out of Texas A&M. Caruso’s professional basketball career began as a member of the Thunder’s training camp and the Thunder’s G League affiliate, the OKC Blue, in 2016-17.
