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As Alex Caruso enjoys his first season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he is also keen to extend his stay with the club.
Speaking to NBA insider Jake Fischer, Caruso said it “would be awesome” to reach a long-term extension with the Thunder now that he is eligible to sign a new contract:
“Obviously this is a place that I think is ascending and that’s something I want to be a part of. That’s why I’m here. I think the writing is on the wall. People don’t trade for guys in the last year of their contracts unless they expect to keep ’em for a while.
“That’s just the business part of it. So I’m looking forward to having that conversation with Sam [Presti]. Everything that the Thunder stand for are things that I stand for. I think their focus, their drives and desires, are the same as mine. It’s been a good fit and I’m looking forward to hopefully a couple more years.”
Oklahoma City made what seemed like one of the best moves of the entire offseason by acquiring Caruso from the Chicago Bulls for Josh Giddey in the rare one-for-one trade. Giddey was a useful player for three seasons with the Thunder, but last year’s postseason showed some of the flaws in their rotation with him on the court.
There was some long-term risk for the Thunder because Caruso is in the final season of his contract with just a $9.9 million salary. Still, a team that is ready to win now after being the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference during the 2023-24 campaign could afford to take a chance.
Caruso made for a natural fit because of his defensive versatility and ability to make threes. His defense has carried over to the Thunder with a career-high 1.9 steals per game, but he’s still looking to find consistency with his shot. The Texas A&M alum is shooting a career-low 38.5 percent from the field and 27.0 percent from three-point range.
Fischer noted Saturday marks the first day Caruso is eligible to sign an extension with the Thunder. It’s unclear if he’s going to be part of the team’s plans beyond this season.
Caruso, who will turn 31 on Feb. 28, is the oldest player on Oklahoma City’s roster. Kenrich Williams is the only other player on the team over the age of 26.
Another factor is the Thunder’s core players are going to get very expensive very soon. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is eligible for a four-year, $294.3 million supermax extension after this season.
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is now eligible to sign a super max extension in the 2025 offseason.
He would be the first player to earn $80M+ in one season. pic.twitter.com/E5yHzGse3b
Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren can sign extensions after the 2025-26 season. We’ve already seen the impact that the new apron rules have had on the way teams approach building their rosters.
Considering the Thunder previously broke up a big three as they were entering their prime and the ramifications that came afterward, it’s hard to envision them doing the same thing again when Presti and the front office have so masterfully rebuilt this franchise into the best young core in the NBA.
Caruso’s price tag will most likely be the deciding factor in whether or not he remains in Oklahoma City beyond this season. If he’s happy with the organization and things keep going well on the court for the Thunder, the two sides might be able to find a deal that works for them.
