Alex Caruso has rapidly slotted into life with the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. His skill to impression video games with out the ball in his palms and lift a staff’s defensive ceiling together with his hustle have each been main markers in Oklahoma’s enchancment on that facet of the ground this season.
Within the 787 possessions Caruso has performed this season, the Thunder have held groups to an elite 99.9 factors per 100 possessions. Within the 1,783 possessions he is missed, the Thunder have given up 106.2 points per 100. Whereas the pattern dimension wants extra knowledge, there is a clear correlation that depicts the impression Caruso makes when wholesome.
Apparently, when Caruso is on the court docket, the Thunder are a greater offensive staff by 8.4 points per 100 possessions. They maintain the ball higher, turning over 3.4% much less ceaselessly, too. Caruso is the kind of participant who can create a successful tradition, even when he is struggling to refill the field rating.
Throughout a recent interview with Jake Fischer, which was printed in a latest version of The SteinLine E-newsletter, Caruso mentioned his openness to remaining in Oklahoma long-term.
“Clearly it is a place that I believe is ascending and that’s one thing I wish to be part of,” Caruso advised Fischer. “That is why I’m right here. I believe the writing is on the wall. Folks do not commerce for guys within the final 12 months of their contracts except they anticipate to maintain ’em for some time. That is simply the enterprise a part of it. So I am trying ahead to having that dialog with Sam [Presti]. All the things that the Thunder stand for are issues that I stand for. I believe their focus, their drives and wishes, are the identical as mine. It has been an excellent match and I am trying ahead to hopefully a pair extra years.”
Regardless of the undoubted expertise on the Thunder’s roster, they’re nonetheless a younger staff. Their inexperience was on full show throughout their latest NBA Cup loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. Caruso will help regular the ship. He is been there and accomplished that, performed in huge video games and been a part of a serious group, the Los Angeles Lakers. He is aware of what comes with the expectation of successful a championship.
When the Thunder acquired Caruso in a straight swap for Josh Giddey, it was seen as a coup for the franchise. The actual fact they landed one of the impactful rotation guards within the NBA, with out giving up any draft property, was mind-blowing. Now, regardless of his points within the field rating, he is proving his worth to his new staff. The entrance workplace should discover a approach of securing his future.
Each younger, contending-level staff wants a veteran. The Boston Celtics wanted Al Horford. The Milwaukee Bucks wanted Jrue Vacation (who additionally then stuffed a core position in Boston), and the Denver Nuggets wanted Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caruso can undoubtedly fill the same want with the Thunder.
Caruso clearly desires to remain past this season. That ought to make negotiations simple. As such, Sam Presti will probably be seeking to start negotiations within the coming months to keep away from any danger of shedding a real defensive difference-maker for nothing on the free-agent market.
