Guard Alex Caruso and the Thunder have agreed to a four-year, $81M contract extension, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
According to salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan, Caruso’s contract extension approximately breaks down like this — $18.1M for next season, $19.55M for 2026-27, $21M for 2027-28 and $22.47M in the final year.
Caruso became eligible for the $81M extension on Saturday. He was then allowed to sign for up to 140% of this season’s estimated average salary ($12.93M). Before Saturday, his maximum extension would have been worth $48,875,400 over three years.
Caruso was due to become a free agent after the season. He’s in the final year of a four-year, $36.98M contract.
Caruso was traded straight up by the Bulls for Josh Giddey in June. He’s one of the NBA’s best perimeter defenders, earning All-Defensive team nods each of the past two seasons.
The trade led to the six-month restriction regarding his extension eligibility.
He started 57 of 71 games with the Bulls last season but has come off the bench in all 19 games in which he’s played this season. He’s averaging 5.7 points, 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 field last season but has struggled with his shooting this season (38.5%). However, he’s helped Oklahoma City become the league’s premier defensive club. The Thunder have allowed the fewest points per game in the league. They also top the league in defensive field goal percentage and 3-point percentage.
Caruso’s extension means that the Thunder don’t have any unrestricted free agents on the standard roster.
