The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder are mounting for years of success after latest strikes.
The NBA does small market groups no favors. When their championship window closes, they have to get brutally trustworthy with themselves and start a rebuild. Oftentimes, this implies years of poor outcomes whereas compiling good draft picks, hoping they may pan out as a famous person to steer the subsequent period of the workforce.
The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder have accomplished that cycle as they traded away their star gamers in 2019 and formally kicked off a rebuild in 2020. They have been the No. 1 seed within the Western Convention a season in the past behind their core, and so they maintain the identical feat by means of 26 video games this season.
Not solely do the Thunder have a younger core of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, however they’ve begun to construct an elite core of gamers round them to assist them. On December 23, they decided to double down on a latest commerce victory of theirs.
The Thunder not too long ago signed Alex Caruso to a long-term extension. The 2 sides agreed on a four-year, $81 million contract to maintain the defensive-minded, floor-spacing guard in Oklahoma Metropolis for years to come back.
The position participant secured simply above $20 million yearly to offer nice power for the Thunder both off the bench or in spot begins. The deal additionally comes because the wage cap is predicted to proceed to rise for years to come back.
Oklahoma Metropolis providing Caruso this stage of a contract proves they acquired a stud this offseason. One of the best half? They acquired Caruso by buying and selling away no draft capital and solely together with Josh Giddey within the deal. The win is a transparent commerce for the Thunder, who improved considerably, acquired an $81 million stud and needed to transfer on from no true property to take action.
Whereas there’s loads extra for Caruso to perform in Oklahoma Metropolis, the membership clearly noticed sufficient from his quick stint within the metropolis that they prolonged him long-term as they appear to turn out to be perennial contenders with their present core. That wouldn’t have occurred with Giddey, therefore the Thunder successful the commerce.
For a participant like Caruso, who has seen loads within the NBA as a veteran, there’s a studying curve when taking part in in a system just like the Thunder have. Caruso went from a spot-up shooter and key defender to being extra concerned within the playmaking side of the offense.
Nonetheless, with Caruso getting acclimated and the Thunder having but to play one recreation totally wholesome this season, the potential on the season is unbelievable. They’ve a 21-5 report and have battled a few key accidents in doing so.
The Thunder can enhance considerably, which is kind of scary after a No. 1 seed positioning, comfortably so, too, and much from what their potential is. Many want to see Oklahoma Metropolis make another transfer to strengthen their contending standing, however they appear to have limitless potential as is.
Keep watch over a future Thunder squad that’s totally wholesome, and much more so with Caruso taking part in a outstanding position with extra consolation throughout the lineup. They need to be good for years to come back, too.
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