Caruso shares the unique way he will impact the Thunder this season

In June, the Oklahoma City Thunder stunned the NBA world when they struck on a blockbuster trade that gifted them All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso. With years of experience and a championship under his belt, the former Chicago Bulls guard is the ideal addition to a team that aims to sift through the complexities of exiting rebuild mode and slowly entering title contention.

The 30-year-old guard’s savvy on offense and sheer dominance on defense have helped him earn his stripes as one of the association’s elite role players. Undoubtedly, the guard has been impactful in all his stops, especially with the Los Angeles Lakers, when he helped the Purple and Gold secure a title in 2020.

Looking to do the same with the Thunder, Caruso aims to introduce a new dimension in his game and deliver its effects to the Blue and Orange. Already garnering high praise from his teammates during training camp, things are off to an even better start than most expected.

AC dishes on his biggest contribution

As one of the league’s most versatile players, it is hard to pinpoint the exact area in which Caruso stands out. While his defensive chops are well-versed and recognized by the entire NBA, it’s the different areas he impacts the game on that side of the ball that have made him who he is.

Even at 30 years old and nearly a decade into his professional career, Alex is still uncovering new ways to improve his game and make a young team like the Thunder better than advertised.

During Oklahoma City’s Media Day, the former NBA champion revealed how he can accelerate the team’s path to winning a title. True to form, some of his new teammates have already confirmed this to be the case.

“The big thing I can add or maybe contribute is being vocal,” Carushow said. "It’s really easy for me. It comes naturally to talk and be loud. I got to see some of that with some of the best communicators the game’s ever seen in LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, and countless other older guys that I’ve played with. It’s a skill and it’s a weapon to use, especially when you go against really good teams in high-pressure environments. … [I’m] excited to build that trust and build that chemistry with the guys.”

As the oldest player on the Thunder, Caruso comes in immediately with seniority. He also has countless younger teammates with a similar skill set who he can mentor. Defensive stalwarts like Cason Wallace and Lu Dort have already mentioned the benefit they received during training camp by being alongside Alex.

It appears that the Texas native has connected with his teammates better than anyone previously envisioned. The burgeoning camaraderie among players indicates that the Thunder are in for a promising season. Health and other uncontrollable factors notwithstanding, there is virtually nothing that can stop the loaded Blue and Orange from quickly reaching their potential in 2024.

Related: Cason praises Carushow for helping him develop his skill set on both ends