The Oklahoma City Thunder are soon to embark on a journey unlike any they've endured. As defending NBA champions, the Thunder will have a target on their backs and a new level of pressure that inherently comes with being the standard-setting team for the Association.
If Oklahoma City is going to realize its dream of repeating as NBA champions, then it will need to lean on veteran guard Alex Caruso for guidance.
Caruso was one of the heroes of the Thunder's run to the first title in franchise history. He set the tone for a dominant defensive display, taking on every assignment from Tyrese Haliburton and Jamal Murray to Nikola Jokic and Pascal Siakam.
Compounded by his clutch scoring and shooting, Caruso was an invaluable member of the championship roster.
It wasn't the first time such a situation played out, as Caruso is now a two-time NBA champion. He previously excelled in a similar capacity with the Los Angeles Lakers, thus giving him a unique perspective on what's yet to come.
Caruso knows exactly what can go wrong for a team hoping to repeat as champions, giving the Thunder a crucial veteran to lean on.
Alex Caruso can provide perspective on trying to repeat as champions
Caruso and the Lakers won a championship in 2019-20, but played 27 games without LeBron James and 36 without Anthony Davis the following season. Despite their absences, Los Angeles ranked No. 1 in the NBA in defensive rating and went 42-30.
Unfortunately, the injuries sustained by Davis and James impacted their quality during the postseason and the Lakers ultimately lost in the first round.
For as disappointing as the end result may be, not enough can be written about how commendable the team's regular-season success was. Los Angeles went 19-17 without Davis and 12-15 without James—neither of which are the type of dreadful records one might expect without two genuine superstars.
Caruso and the supporting cast played a definitive role in that success as the defensive pillars who alleviated pressure from the stars and guaranteed a dependable nightly quality.
For the Thunder, that's exactly what the supporting cast will need to provide if repeating as champions is to be a realistic goal. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will have the ultimate spotlight on him after winning MVP, Finals MVP, and a scoring title, and will face pressure like never before.
Jalen Williams, meanwhile, is recovering from offseason wrist surgery that could impact his ability to work on his craft over the summer and thus impede his return to form early in 2025-26.
Thankfully, Caruso learned crucial lessons about how a team attempting to go back-to-back must pace itself through the regular season. The Thunder will ideally avoid the injuries the Lakers endured, but the need for the supporting cast to anchor the broader goals remains.
Thankfully, this first-time champion has a two-time title-winner who can provide perspective the Thunder would otherwise lack in 2025-26.