Breaking: Alex Caruso Signs Long-Term Extension With OKC Thunder


The OKC Thunder are far and away the top team in the Western Conference, and their improvement this season can, in large part, be credited to their massively improved defense, as they hold the best team defensive rating in the NBA. 

To that end, the Thunder have locked up one of their top offseason acquisitions, two-time NBA All-Defensive Team guard Alex Caruso to a 4-year, $81M extension.

Head coach Mark Daigneault praised Caruso's energy and unique skillset off the bench, in addition to his elite perimeter defense.

Charania reports that Caruso ranks in the top five in deflections, field-goal % allowed as a contesting defender, and points per direct pick allowed as a ball-handler defender, per ESPN Research.

Caruso has only averaged 5.7 points this season, but his stout defense in 20 minutes per night has been a huge difference for the Thunder

He made the All-Defensive Team each of the last two seasons while with the Chicago Bulls. The Thunder dealt Josh Giddey to the Windy City this past summer in exchange for the "Bald Mamba" as Caruso is affectionately referred to.


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