After being placed at the base of the new Thunder project, Josh Giddey was quickly sidelined, and the Australian did not want to become a full-time sixth man next season.
For Sam Presti, an exchange had therefore become the priority and he found a superb counterpart, the Bulls agreeing to part withAlex Caruso, with no Draft choices included in the trade. A godsend when it was said that Chicago had refused to let go of its rear at the last “trade deadline”, despite offers including Draft choices in the first round, or even in the Top 10 of the 2024 vintage…
“Alex Caruso is a player we have always appreciated and followed” explains the managerAlex Caruso having also started his professional career with the Oklahoma City Blue, in the G-League. “He is the quintessential Thunder player, an exceptional competitor and teammate with a multi-dimensional skill set. His presence and play will help elevate the core of our team as we continue to build a sustainable elite program in Oklahoma City. »
It's not just size that matters
Member of the All-Defensive First Team in 2023 and the All-Defensive Second Team in 2024, Alex Caruso is one of the best defenders in the league. Despite his relative small size (1m96), his understanding of opposing attackers and his ability to distance them from their strengths make him a feared opponent for full-backs and wingers.
“The opportunity to add Caruso is truly unique”detailed Sam Presti. “People often talk about size for wingers. We look at efficiency. His effectiveness against taller wingers is extraordinary… We prefer someone effective against these players rather than someone tall and ineffective.”
Alex Caruso is thus able to cause problems for Kevin Durant, while he gives him 15 centimeters…
“The data concerning him is of very high quality”concludes Sam Presti. “He’s just another versatile player. … He only thinks about the team. He has all his techniques for his game, and doing what he does well. He’s a colossal competitor and we want to have as many of those guys in the building.”
| Alex Caruso | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | LAL | 37 | 15 | 43.1 | 30.2 | 70.0 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 3.6 |
| 2018-19 | LAL | 25 | 21 | 44.5 | 48.0 | 79.7 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 9.2 |
| 2019-20 | LAL | 64 | 18 | 41.2 | 33.3 | 73.4 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 5.5 |
| 2020-21 | LAL | 58 | 21 | 43.6 | 40.1 | 64.5 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 2.8 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 6.4 |
| 2021-22 | CHI | 41 | 28 | 39.8 | 33.3 | 79.5 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 7.4 |
| 2022-23 | CHI | 67 | 24 | 45.5 | 36.4 | 80.8 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 5.6 |
| 2023-24 | CHI | 71 | 29 | 46.8 | 40.8 | 76.0 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 3.9 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 10.1 |
| Total | 363 | 23 | 44.0 | 38.0 | 75.1 | 0.6 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 6.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
