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While Alex Caruso is enjoying his first season with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he is also looking to extend his stay with the club.
In conversation with an NBA insider Jake FischerCaruso said it “would be great” 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 on the rise and I want to be a part of that. That’s why I’m here. I think the writing is on the wall. People aren’t trading for guys in the last year their contracts unless they expect to keep them 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 stands for, are things that I stand for. I think their focus, their drivers and desires are the Same as mine. It worked out well and I’m hopefully looking forward to staying for a few 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 the Thunder for three seasons, but that showed in last year’s postseason some flaws in their rotation with him on the field.
There was a long-term risk for the Thunder, as Caruso is in the final season of his contract with just one $9.9 million salary. Still, a team that is now primed to win after being the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed during the 2023-24 season could afford to take a gamble.
Caruso was 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 for 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 that Saturday is the first day Caruso is eligible for an extension with the Thunder. It is unclear if he will be part of the team’s plans beyond this season.
Caruso, who turns 31 on February 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 that Thunder’s core players will soon become very expensive. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be eligible for a four-year, $294.3 million supermax extension after this season.
Bobby Marks @BobbyMarks42
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is now eligible for a Super Max extension in the 2025 offseason.
He would be the first player to earn more than $80 million in a single season. pic.twitter.com/E5yHzGse3b
Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren could sign extensions after the 2025-26 season. We’ve already seen it influence which have had the new apron rules affect the way teams approach building their rosters.
Seen the Thunder earlier broke out a big three When they reached their peak and the fallout that followed, it’s hard to imagine them doing the same again now that Presti and the front office have so masterfully built this franchise into the best young core in the NBA.
Caruso’s price tag will most likely be the deciding factor on whether or not he stays in Oklahoma City beyond this season. If he is happy with the organization and continues to do well on the field for the Thunder, perhaps the two sides can find a deal that works for them.