3 ways Alex Caruso can help the OKC Thunder reach their championship potential

Alex Caruso solves the Thunder’s spacing concerns 

When the Thunder slotted Josh Giddey in the starting lineup, the team was a net negative on offense as opposing squads threw their center on him to allow them to defend the paint. 

This dilemma stems from Giddey’s lack of a reliable three-point shot. While the Thunder remained successful with Giddey until the first round of the playoffs, OKC ran into a wall against the Dallas Mavericks as they revolved their defense around the Thunder’s lack of knockdown shooters. 

Now with Caruso, the Thunder have alleviated pressure on the team’s top penetrators such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Lu Dort. 

Caruso shot 40.8 percent from beyond the three-point line on about five attempts per game with the Chicago Bulls last season. The Thunder’s roster composition will also allow Caruso to have more looks compared to his time in Chicago where he played with a lot of non-shooters. 

His shooting will likely be amplified around Gilgeous-Alexander, and Williams, both of whom are relentless drivers. Being on a team that leads the league in drives per game, Caruso would be such a weapon as someone who can punish defenses who dare him to shoot. 

Depending on which lineups he plays, Caruso provides what the Thunder has been lacking for the past two seasons.