Over the offseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded for one of the most impactful role players in Alex Caruso which defensively has been tremendous, but offensively he’s off to a very slow start. While it’s too early to be concerned. Caruso’s impact goes beyond his stats and box score.
Alex Caruso’s Impact On the OKC Thunder
Alex Caruso-Josh Giddey Swap
The Thunder made a surprising trade to many over the offseason, trading former No. 6 overall pick Josh Giddey to the Chicago Bulls in return for Caruso.
This trade came off of a 57-win season and off of a second-round appearance. However, it was obvious that Giddey was a misfit in this version of the Thunder’s system which led to him getting benched in the playoffs.
This would lead to Giddey rejecting a role with him coming off the bench for the Thunder in a contract year, being one of the factors that led to the trade.
Doing a one-for-one trade with the Bulls to acquire Caruso was one of the best-case scenario outcomes for the Thunder, but also a win for both sides involved. Caruso gets to join a title contender in the Thunder, and Giddey gets an opportunity to be the primary ball-handler in a rebuilding/retooling situation in Chicago.
Results of the Trade
Two things were clear from the moment this trade happened: The Thunder got better in their quest to a championship and got the player with veteran and championship experience, and the player who fits and complements this iteration of the Thunder’s “Big Three” perfectly. And Giddey will have more opportunity with the ball in his hands and will most likely put up good counting stats for a rebuilding/retooling Bulls team.
Now on the flip side, Caruso is off to a dreadful start shooting the ball within this Thunder’s system early in the season. Averaging 2.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.8 stocks per game while shooting 23.7 percent from the floor, 14.3 percent from beyond the arc and not getting to the free throw line (0 for 1).
There’s no need to be concerned yet due to low sample size and low volume. The expectation is that his volume will tick up and his efficiency will relegate itself to what we’re accustomed to seeing.
The lack of concern is reinforced by Mark Daigneault as Caruso is a career 37.5 percent 3-point shooter, including shooting a career-high in percentage (40.8) and in volume (4.7 3PA per game) from the beyond the arc a year ago.
Historic Defensive Start
Caruso’s impact on this Thunder team has been undeniable. The Thunder have absolutely reaped the benefits from Caruso defensively this season as the Thunder currently have the best defensive rating by a pretty wide margin in the league at 96.3.
Alex Caruso’s Winning Impact
https://x.com/okcthunder/status/1853662274529153471?s=46&t=zqbZOUdhBMk8EFXYbAloIA
What Caruso provides defensively — his versatility guarding multiple positions, his active hands — both on and off the ball and the amount of turnovers he creates for the Thunder, the energy and hustle plays is infectious, and the connectivity he brings to this team on the defensive end, is an upgrade for the Thunder and could not be replicated from Giddey.
This is where the counting stats don’t tell how effective and impactful of an option Caruso is for the Thunder. His impact on winning does show as Caruso has +58 plus minus thus far this season.
Main Image: Brian Murphy-Imagn Images
