Alex Caruso Trade Rumors Explode: Lakers Lead Surging Bidding War for Bulls’ Defensive Star

Subhead: From Role Player to Postseason Catalyst Alex Caruso’s reputation as a hustle defender has officially gone mainstream after his breakout performance in Oklahoma City’s Game 7 win over Denver. Tasked with shadowing back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokić for extended stretches, the 30-year-old guard harassed passing lanes, drew two offensive fouls, and finished with a playoff-career-high five steals, directly swinging a contest the Thunder trailed by 12 late in the third quarter. Subhead: The “Jokić Stopper” Blueprint • Fronting the post: Caruso routinely front-edged Jokić, forcing lofted passes that weak-side helpers could pick off. • Timed digs: He showed the ball, retreated, and then lunged once Jokić committed his dribble, creating strip opportunities. • Screen navigation: By slipping under pin-downs, he stayed attached without fouling, limiting Jokić’s direct-post touches. The result? Denver’s offensive rating plummeted from 121.4 in Games 1-6 to 103.9 in the decider, with Jokić committing a season-high eight turnovers. Subhead: An Unexpected Offensive Spark Caruso is shooting a blistering 46.8 % from three this postseason—best on the roster and sixth-best among all remaining playoff players. In Game 7 he drilled four triples, punctuating the Thunder’s 17-2 closing run with a step-back dagger from the left wing. His per-game playoff averages have climbed to 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.0 steals while logging a season-high 33.4 minutes. Subhead: Why Caruso Fits OKC’s Small-Market Formula 1. Versatility: Head coach Mark Daigneault can plug Caruso into three-guard, jumbo-wing or traditional lineups without defensive trade-offs. 2. Low-usage efficiency: With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren commanding touches, Caruso thrives spotting up and cutting. 3. Contract value: He is in Year 4 of a team-friendly $36.9 million deal that tops out at $9.89 million next season, giving Oklahoma City financial flexibility for extensions and veteran adds. Subhead: League-Wide Reverberations Rival scouts told The Athletic that Caruso’s perimeter disruption “changes an entire series,” a sentiment echoed by Jokić himself, who said postgame that the guard’s “hands are everywhere and mind is two steps ahead.” His emergence underscores a broader NBA shift toward multi-positional stoppers who can also keep defenses honest from deep. Subhead: What’s Next • Western Conference Finals begin Friday at Paycom Center, where Caruso is expected to open on either Devin Booker or Kevin Durant. • Defensive Player of the Playoffs buzz is growing; another standout series could vault him into offseason All-Defensive Team discussions. • With the salary cap jumping in 2026, league executives anticipate extension talks that could double his current annual figure—an investment Thunder GM Sam Presti appears eager to make. Quick Takeaway Alex Caruso is no longer just a cult favorite; he is the two-way engine driving Oklahoma City’s surprise title push. If his disruptive defense and red-hot shooting continue, the Thunder might owe their first Finals berth in over a decade to the ultimate glue guy turned postseason star.