The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired defensive ace Alex Caruso weeks before the 2024 NBA Draft. It was a shocking trade of former No. 6 overall pick Josh Giddey for the two-timer entirely defensive. The Thunder saw an immediate improvement to their already lethal defense and a more functional off-ball offensive weapon with this trade.

Caruso is currently on an expiring pact and the two sides cannot enter into extension negotiations until mid-December. However, as the calendar turns to December 2 and gets closer to that date, reports are starting to trickle in.

Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype has cleared the notebook before a month which lays the groundwork for future trades and expansions.

“But for now, the next item on Presti’s agenda should be contract extension talks in December with the guard Alex Carusowho was acquired from the Bulls in exchange for Josh Giddey this offseason. Caruso is expected to receive a significant pay raise from his current salary of $9.89 million,” Scotto Reports for Hoops Hype.

This is no surprise since the Thunder never operate due to lack of foresight. While trading one-for-one is a fantastic move, it would be less so if Caruso was just a rental. The team’s identity lies in having a player like the Texas A&M product.

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