Alex Caruso: A Missed Opportunity for the Lakers

Alex Caruso is often seen as one of the Lakers’ significant blunders over the past decade.

He’s precise. A defensive wizard, really. He gives everything he has on the court. You can call him a winner.

Yet, the Lakers let him go.

This became all too clear during Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Thunder and the Spurs.

Caruso stood out as the best player for the Thunder, even while sharing the court with two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He scored a team-high 31 points, shooting 11-of-19 from the field and 8-of-14 from three-point range. He also contributed two steals and two blocks.

At 6-foot-5, Caruso took on the challenge of guarding the 7-foot-4 Victor Wembanyama.

He seemed to be everywhere, doing everything. It was like he had been unleashed.

Coming off the bench, he delivered one of his strongest performances yet. He didn’t back down against a taller opponent, showing grit and determination.

He made an incredible block on Stephon Castle’s layup attempt with just over four minutes left in regulation. With less than two minutes to go, he hit a 36-foot three-pointer to give his team a slight edge, pushing the game into overtime.

In the final stretch of overtime, he managed a steal, grabbed a rebound, and sank another three-pointer to send the game into a second overtime.

He’s back for the playoffs.

In high-stakes moments, something inside him truly ignites. This drive helped him rise from being undrafted in 2016 to becoming one of the league’s top role players.

If determination could be quantified, he’d be off the charts. His contributions often go unnoticed in box scores. While Wembanyama is like an alien on the court, Caruso represents something uniquely special.

And yet, the Lakers were too frugal to keep him.

Caruso played a crucial role in leading the Lakers to their 2020 championship after a long drought. He was known for his ability to make the little things count, often recognized as the unsung hero of that title team, drawing MVP chants from fans.

But instead of rewarding him, the Lakers held back in 2021 and let him reach free agency.

Caruso was open to a team-friendly contract, wanting to stay with the purple and gold. However, they lowballed him to avoid luxury tax issues, which ultimately led him to Chicago, where he signed a four-year, $37 million deal.

While the Lakers didn’t consider matching that offer, Caruso revealed in a podcast that their initial offer was actually below two years and $15 million.

Forced to leave, he was subsequently traded to the Thunder in 2024, helping them achieve success last season. In a crucial Game 7 against the Nuggets, he recorded the highest plus-minus on the court at +40.

This postseason, he’s been pivotal in helping the Thunder progress with an undefeated 8-0 record.

The reality is that Caruso significantly influences victories.

He climbed from the G League to become a two-time champion, approaching each game with relentless tenacity.

He’s exactly the type of player the Lakers need.

The front office has enjoyed some successes in the past decade, but they’ve made glaring errors too. Drafting Lonzo Ball second overall in 2017 while passing on Jayson Tatum and De’Aaron Fox was one. The decision to dismantle the championship roster to bring in Russell Westbrook in 2021 was another.

Letting Caruso go ranks among the top mistakes.

Right now, defense and three-point shooting are major concerns for the Lakers. They need bolstered defense and a better ability to spread the floor for Luka Doncic, Austin Reeves, and LeBron James.

A player like Caruso could have made a significant difference in those areas.

The Thunder have shown how critical depth can be in the league. Caruso strengthens the team, deepening their bench and toughness.

This postseason, as the Lakers reflect on their sweep by the Thunder in the second round, the gap between them and the champions becomes evident.

They also regret letting go of one of the Thunder’s key players.

Caruso embodies the ultimate blue-collar success story, breaking through barriers to become a star.

For the Lakers, he serves as a poignant reminder of their missteps.