Oklahoma City Thunder stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren will lead the team throughout the 2025-26 season and playoffs. However, Alex Caruso will end up making a huge difference amid the club's push for a second consecutive championship.
The veteran role player does not receive too many headlines. He was acquired as part of the 2023 Josh Giddey trade with the Chicago Bulls. Since the transaction, Caruso has quietly made a massive impact on OKC -- and the Thunder understand how valuable he is to the team's overall success.
Alex Caruso is a major difference-maker for Thunder
SGA and Holmgren are first and second overall on the Thunder in plus-minus this season. Caruso checks in at third.
He is known for his defensive prowess (leads Thunder with a 93.4 defensive rating), but Caruso is capable of making an impact on both ends of the floor.
The 31-year-old guard is averaging 5.8 points per game while shooting a respectable 36.4 percent from beyond the arc. He takes over three shots from deep per contest, so the Thunder are clearly utilizing him on the offensive side of the ball as well.
Oklahoma City doesn't shoot the three-ball especially well, so, on the opposite side of the court, any production they can get from a defensive-minded guy such as Caruso is obviously pivotal in making up for these woes.
The other element that Caruso brings to the table is his veteran leadership. OKC features a rather young team for the most part. They have a young core of players, which is one of the reasons why the team's future is so exciting.
Still, veterans are important, and Caruso, at 31 years old, is the oldest player on the roster. Kenrich Williams is 30, while every other Thunder player is 27 or younger.
While they already proved they can win a championship, going back-to-back is unquestionably a challenge. The Thunder must find a way to remain poised in the big moments.
Every other contender is going to do everything they can to upset the reigning champions.
One has to imagine that Caruso's veteran prowess will give OKC an edge in the playoffs. He needs to implement his leadership in order to help the team.
The Thunder have a strong all-around roster featuring both star power and depth, with Alex Caruso among the shining lights of the latter.
He will be a player to watch all season long as the Thunder hope to repeat as champions.