Alex Caruso has rapidly slotted into life with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. His capacity to impression video games with out the ball in his palms and lift a workforce’s defensive ceiling along with his hustle have each been main markers in Oklahoma’s enchancment on that aspect of the ground this season.
Within the 787 possessions Caruso has performed this season, the Thunder have held groups to an elite 99.9 factors per 100 possessions. Within the 1,783 possessions he is missed, the Thunder have given up 106.2 points per 100. Whereas the pattern measurement wants extra knowledge, there is a clear correlation that depicts the impression Caruso makes when wholesome.
Curiously, when Caruso is on the court docket, the Thunder are a greater offensive workforce by 8.4 points per 100 possessions. They deal with the ball higher, turning over 3.4% much less steadily, too. Caruso is the kind of participant who can create a successful tradition, even when he is struggling to replenish the field rating.
Throughout a recent interview with Jake Fischer, which was revealed in a current version of The SteinLine E-newsletter, Caruso mentioned his openness to remaining in Oklahoma long-term.
“Clearly it is a place that I believe is ascending and that’s one thing I need to be part of,” Caruso informed Fischer. “That is why I’m right here. I believe the writing is on the wall. Folks do not commerce for guys within the final yr of their contracts except they anticipate to maintain ’em for some time. That is simply the enterprise a part of it. So I am trying ahead to having that dialog with Sam [Presti]. Every little thing that the Thunder stand for are issues that I stand for. I believe their focus, their drives and needs, are the identical as mine. It has been match and I am trying ahead to hopefully a pair extra years.”
Regardless of the undoubted expertise on the Thunder’s roster, they’re nonetheless a younger workforce. Their inexperience was on full show throughout their current NBA Cup loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Caruso can assist regular the ship. He is been there and achieved that, performed in huge video games and been a part of a serious group, the Los Angeles Lakers. He is aware of what comes with the expectation of successful a championship.
When the Thunder acquired Caruso in a straight swap for Josh Giddey, it was seen as a coup for the franchise. The very fact they landed one of the crucial impactful rotation guards within the NBA, with out giving up any draft property, was mind-blowing. Now, regardless of his points within the field rating, he is proving his worth to his new workforce. The entrance workplace should discover a method of securing his future.
Each younger, contending-level workforce wants a veteran. The Boston Celtics wanted Al Horford. The Milwaukee Bucks wanted Jrue Vacation (who additionally then stuffed a core position in Boston), and the Denver Nuggets wanted Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caruso can undoubtedly fill an identical want with the Thunder.
Caruso clearly needs to remain past this season. That ought to make negotiations straightforward. As such, Sam Presti will possible be trying to start negotiations within the coming months to keep away from any threat of shedding a real defensive difference-maker for nothing on the free-agent market.
