1 Player at each position the Thunder gave up on too soon
By Tyler Watts
SF: Alex Caruso
Caruso went undrafted out of Texas A&M in 2016 and signed his first NBA contract with the Thunder. He was waived before opening night but spent the entire season playing for the Oklahoma City Blue in the G League. The 6’5 wing filled a key role and helped them reach the semifinals. The Thunder did not keep Caruso as the Lakers stepped up with a two-way contract in the 2017 offseason.
It was not long before things took off. He was a key role player on the Lakers 2020 championship squad and just kept improving. LA actually chose Talen Horton-Tucker over him in 2021, so Caruso departed for Chicago. He has blossomed into one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and has made the All-Defensive team two straight years for the Bulls.
The Thunder traded Josh Giddey to get Caruso back in June. They wanted a stout defender and floor spacer to round out units as they chase championships. Caruso is nearly the perfect role player because of his defense, playmaking, and shooting. He is happy to do what is asked to help his team win.
The Oklahoma City Thunder gave up way too soon. They spent one year seeing what Alex Caruso could do in the G League, but never gave him a serious shot in the NBA. He blossomed into a crucial role player and now Oklahoma City traded an important young talent to get him back. The Thunder could have had Caruso the entire time.