Guard Alex Caruso and the Thunder have agreed to a four-year, $81M contract extension, Shams Charania of ESPN stories.
In line with wage cap professional 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 resulting from grow 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 staff nods every of the previous two seasons.
The commerce led to the six-month restriction relating to 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 through 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 capturing this season (38.5%). Nonetheless, he’s helped Oklahoma Metropolis grow to be the league’s premier defensive membership. The Thunder have allowed the fewest factors per sport within the league. In addition they high 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.