The Golden State Warriors and the remainder of the Western Convention are presently chasing the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, with the franchise sitting atop the standings for 3 video games with a 22-5 document.
The Thunder are arguably probably the most proficient younger staff within the league and are working to fortify their future, having formally signed Alex Caruso to a four-year, $81 million contract extension on Sunday, as reported for the primary time Alex Caruso. Shams Charania of ESPN.
The Warriors could have luckily botched the Alex Caruso commerce
The brand new deal is a pleasant reward for Caruso who has labored his means from G League participant to one of many league’s finest defensive guards, after spending time with the Los Angeles Lakers and Bulls from Chicago earlier than being traded to the Thunder for Josh Giddey. throughout the offseason.
Caruso has undoubtedly performed an enormous position within the Thunder’s primary protection, however his offensive struggles this season have led some to query the worth of this extension that can pay him greater than $20 million per season.
The 30-year-old is averaging simply 5.7 factors in 20.2 minutes in 19 video games this season, after capturing 38.5 p.c from the ground and a dismal 27 p.c from 3-point vary on 3.3 makes an attempt per match.
IDC, what you see, this and that OG contract are completely loopy. Caruso has been one of many worst offensive gamers within the league this yr https://t.co/oKVbwV0Jde
– tj 🈂️ (@bigdawggtjj) December 22, 2024
Caruso deserves the world bro however holy shit it is a easy steal, 27% on 3 and 5PPG I am positive https://t.co/sRXAUZeCsG
– ADHD (@ADHDGoat) December 22, 2024
It is easy to neglect that Caruso may have simply been a Golden State participant, with Mike Dunleavy Jr. and the entrance workplace aggressively pursuing the 6’5″ guard earlier than final season’s commerce deadline, because the lately reported once more by Jake Fischer of the Stein line.
“Golden State, as a current instance, provided a number of first-round picks to Caruso finally February’s commerce deadline and was even prepared to half with Moses Moody, together with different gamers, the report mentioned. sources, as a part of a commerce development that might even have labored out for Torrey Craig and Andre Drummond with Golden State. Fischer wrote.
The Warriors could have been fortunate that the Bulls rejected their advances, particularly contemplating the worth tag of re-signing Caruso to this extension. Though he would have develop into an vital a part of Golden State’s rotation, Caruso’s questionable 3-point capturing would elevate some issues on a staff that already has quite a few defensive gamers with offensive limitations.
The Thunder can afford to pay that worth when they’re on the high of the standings and quite a few their finest gamers are nonetheless on rookie contracts, however one must surprise how a lot worth that may deliver to the Warriors if that they had traded towards Caruso and have been on this scenario.
The opposite issue is that giving up a number of first-round picks would have put Golden State in a a lot much less versatile scenario proper now, with the franchise anticipated to stay aggressive in commerce talks over the following few weeks after lately buying Dennis Schroder from the Brooklyn Nets.
