Thunder ink Alex Caruso to estimated 4-year, $81 million deal

The Oklahoma City Thunder have made a significant move by signing guard Alex Caruso to a lucrative multi-year contract extension. Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced the deal today, solidifying Caruso's future with the team.

The deal is reportedly a four-year, $81 million extension that will keep him in OKC through the 2028-29 season, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Caruso is an integral member and a leader of a Thunder defense that ranks first in the league in defensive rating (103.0), opponent field goal percentage (42.6%), opponent three-point percentage (32.9%) opponent points per game (103.1), turnovers forced (19.1), steals (12.1) and deflections (23.0). The Thunder also ranks second in the NBA in charges drawn (0.96) and loose balls recovered per game (5.7).

A two-time All-Defensive Team member (2022-23 First Team and 2023-24 Second Team), Caruso currently ranks sixth in the NBA in steals (1.89) and seventh in deflections per game (3.7).

During the 2023-24 season, Caruso was named the winner of the NBA Hustle Award after averaging 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.69 steals and 1.00 blocks in 71 games with the Chicago Bulls. Caruso tallied 130-plus three-point field goals made, 100-plus steals and 70-plus blocks, becoming the first player to accomplish the feat in three seasons.

In 382 career games, Caruso owns averages of 6.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.32 steals in 22.6 minutes per game.

The College Station native began his professional career with the Oklahoma City Blue in the NBA G League after his college tenure at Texas A&M.