Lakers Fans Still Rue Jeanie Buss’ Alex Caruso Decision as OKC Locks in Ex-NBA Champ to $81 Million Deal

Six months ago, on June 21, the Thunder made waves by trading Josh Giddey to land Alex Caruso in a move nobody saw coming. Now, as of this Saturday morning, Caruso is officially eligible for a contract extension—one that could go up to $81.1 million over four years. On Sunday night, Caruso locked in a four-year, $81 million extension with the Thunder, his agent revealed to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The team confirmed the deal later that evening but stayed quiet about the specifics of the agreement.

Back in 2021, the Bulls swooped in during free agency and plucked him from the Lakers. At the time, no one could’ve guessed he’d evolve into one of the NBA’s most valuable trade pieces. But here we are.

Fans reacted to this news quickly. One fan wrote “The Lakers could really use a solid role player like him *laughing emoji*”. Since his departure, the Lakers have struggled to find a player who mirrors Caruso’s unique blend of tenacity, defensive prowess, and hustle. In his time with Los Angeles, Caruso was the glue guy—a versatile defender and unselfish playmaker who excelled in high-pressure moments.

Another user commented “Everyone gets better after leaving the Lakers”. After his departure in 2021, Caruso has undeniably leveled up, going from an underrated role player in Los Angeles to a key contributor and defensive standout in the league.

While the Lakers leaned heavily on his hustle and perimeter defense during their 2020 championship run, his move to the Bulls allowed him to expand his game. Caruso evolved into one of the NBA’s top defenders, earning All-Defensive Team honors and becoming a leader on and off the court.

“Lakers let him walk for nothing” wrote a netizen. In 2021, the Lakers chose not to match the Bulls’ four-year, $37 million offer, letting him walk despite his critical defensive contributions. This decision raised eyebrows, especially given the Lakers’ well-documented struggles with depth and defense in the seasons since.

Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss, often praised for their big-splash moves, faced criticism for letting a proven role player slip away over financial concerns. It’s a decision that continues to fuel debates about prioritizing star power over team balance in Los Angeles.

Caruso’s role in the 2020 Lakers championship run can’t be overstated. That’s why one fan wrote “As a Lakers fan, I say 😢”. He was the ultimate glue guy, diving for loose balls, locking down perimeter threats, and making smart plays that often went unnoticed on the stat sheet.

For Lakers fans, it’s a bittersweet reminder of what could’ve been if the team had kept him in purple and gold.

This is a developing story…