Guard Alex Caruso and the Thunder have agreed to a four-year, $81M contract extension, Shams Charania of ESPN experiences.
In response to wage cap knowledgeable Yossi Gozlan, Caruso’s contract extension roughly breaks down like this — $18.1M for subsequent season, $19.55M for 2026-27, $21M for 2027-28 and $22.47M within the last yr.
Caruso became eligible for the $81M extension on Saturday. He was then allowed to signal for as much as 140% of this season’s estimated common wage ($12.93M). Earlier than Saturday, his most extension would have been price $48,875,400 over three years.
Caruso was as a result of turn out to be a free agent after the season. He’s within the last yr of a four-year, $36.98M contract.
Caruso was traded straight up by the Bulls for Josh Giddey in June. He’s one of many NBA’s finest perimeter defenders, incomes All-Defensive group nods every of the previous two seasons.
The commerce led to the six-month restriction concerning his extension eligibility.
He began 57 of 71 video games with the Bulls final season however has come off the bench in all 19 video games by which he’s performed this season. He’s averaging 5.7 factors, 2.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and a career-high 1.9 steals in 20.2 minutes.
Caruso shot a career-best 46.8% from the sector final season however has struggled along with his taking pictures this season (38.5%). Nonetheless, he’s helped Oklahoma Metropolis turn out to be the league’s premier defensive membership. The Thunder have allowed the fewest factors per sport within the league. In addition they prime the league in defensive area aim share and 3-point share.
Caruso’s extension signifies that the Thunder don’t have any unrestricted free brokers on the usual roster.
