Alex Caruso
This past June, the Thunder opted to part ways with former lottery pick Josh Giddy in a trade with the Chicago Bulls that netted them one of the game’s most reliable 3-and-D contributors, Alex Caruso in return.
A move declared as the second-best of the entire offseason thus far, expectations are high for the 30-year-old to help thrust this talented team over the proverbial hump and into the franchise’s first-ever NBA Championship.
In 2023-24, Caruso finally established himself as a regular starter in the league and only managed to excel in such a role as he went on to post impressive per-game averages of 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks on 40.8 percent from deep while earning his second All-Defensive Team selection along the way.
The BL🚫CK.@ACFresh21 | @NBCSChicago pic.twitter.com/bl9ekoie9O
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 19, 2023
With his elite two-way abilities coupled with his title-winning experience (won a championship with the Lakers in 2020), many are of the impression that the veteran will be strongly in the running for a starting spot during his debut outing with the Thunder.
And while the idea is certainly justifiable, ultimately, he finds himself coming to a team that seemingly has their starting shooting guard in tow (more on him later), which, if they opt to stick with their seasoned and established two, would likely once again relegate Caruso to a bench role after showing he's more than capable of showing out in such a role.