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EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: General Manager Rob Pelinka of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks with media during a press conference at UCLA Health Training Center on September 25, 2025 in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers may have a realistic chance of bringing Alex Caruso back to the team if the Oklahoma City Thunder put him on the trade block. Oklahoma City has a deep roster of young talents they love to utilize for depth and to continue having a strong bench each season as these players improve. Franchise stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams all signed huge extensions to keep them under contract until 2031.
Fansided’s Lake Show Life reported that Caruso could be moved and how the Lakers could take advantage of that:
“Caruso is the perfect fit. The two-time NBA champion has injury concerns, but his on-court production is elite. He is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA and flat-out helps his team win.
The Lakers certainly need stoppers next to Luka and AR. This could be a match made in heaven if everything breaks right this offseason. The Oklahoma City Thunder will have to cut their spending this summer, which could open the door for the Los Angeles Lakers to bring back Alex Caruso.”
Lake Show Life’s Tyler Watts referenced Caruso’s situation with the Thunder and why he could be traded. Lakers fans would be stoked to have the former fan favorite back on the roster next season.
Why Oklahoma City Would Trade Caruso
Oklahoma City took a chance on adding Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein to the roster in recent years with their cap space ahead of last season. The move clearly paid off to win the 2025 NBA Championship, and they currently have the highest odds to repeat as 2026 NBA Champions.
However, those larger contracts contribute to the salary cap, and the team hopes to keep some of the younger role players needing extensions. Hartenstein and Lu Dort both have team options for the final year on their contracts this summer to make a big decision for both.
Trading Caruso and another player may be logical if they plan to sign either of those names to a longer contract. Thunder General Manager Sam Presti has a history of investing in youth, so Caruso could be the first name traded as the oldest player on the roster.
Why Lakers Badly Need Players Like Caruso
The Lakers will have a lot of money to spend this offseason thanks to LeBron James and many other players coming off the books. James is reportedly only expected to return if he takes a smaller deal, and the Lakers are content extending Austin Reaves to a max contract.
A lot of money will be left after Reaves signs his deal to warrant taking the chance on trading for the right pieces. Caruso is a versatile defender who is often tasked with defending the best player on the opposing team.
The Lakers would thrive by adding someone who could defend a star guard like Donovan Mitchell and still hold his own against a taller player like Kevin Durant. Defense is the Lakers’ current biggest issue, and adding one of the best defenders in the league helps that problem. Caruso’s previous tenure in Los Angeles also proved he can handle the pressure of a big market team to make it an easier fit.