While many people remember Alex Caruso to be the undrafted G-Leaguer, he went on to forge his place in the NBA with his sheer will. His headbands became a statement as he went on to win a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. And even when the Lakers let him part ways with them in 2021, his magic and ferocity did not dull down.
He signed a four-year deal with the Chicago Bulls, played four playoff games in the three seasons he spent with them, and then moved his bags to Oklahoma City. He continues to bully his opponents with his vivacious energy, proving his grit and passion despite the injuries he’s sustained all the way to the 2025 NBA Finals.
Veteran Alex Caruso Has Words of Wisdom for the OKC Thunder Core
Making it to the playoffs is half the job done. Hoisting the trophy is the final and the most daunting goal. In a series like this, where every single point matters, there’s no such thing as losing your confidence and small play. Caruso understands that. He’s built a career on these principles.
He now uses his experience to lead the Thunder to their championship dream. In an interview on Tuesday, when asked about one piece of advice he would give to the team as a veteran, he had only two points. “Just continue to tell everybody that, one, it’s not easy. It’s the Finals. It’s not going to be easy. You’re going to have to earn everything.
What’s the second one, you ask? “Two, be confident in what you do. We’ve been a great team all year because we’ve been confident, played aggressively. Just backing my guys and telling them, Don’t second-guess yourself, just go out there and play your game.”
Over time, Caruso has become the center of OKC’s resurgence. Being the only player with championship experience, Caruso has learnt how to develop that leadership quality, without getting rattled.
“Yeah, I mean, leadership, whether you’re in the NBA Finals or in game 15 of the season, you’re always trying to build toward the same thing. You’re trying to build toward winning games, being a championship-caliber team. That’s something that I’ve always kind of had the mindset of. Whether I’ve been the 15th guy on the roster or the seventh guy on the roster or I’m closing games in the Finals, that’s just always my mindset.”
When Caruso reunited with Mark Daineault, the Thunder coach, he had become a better version of himself. He now had the ability to process the opponents and their style and had the ability to impact it in his way.
“He’s always doing the right thing, always competing.”
OKC’s HC Mark Daigneault loves Alex Caruso’s leadership 💪 pic.twitter.com/Th10faM1ai
— NBA (@NBA) June 10, 2025
He’s able to absorb the game plans and identify the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses. Caruso has been the catalyst for the Thunder’s great defensive rating so far this season.
“He certainly has his fingerprints,” said Daigneault, “all over this team.”
So, even as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams continue to be the face of the franchise, on the outskirts, Caruso is their calm leader. He is the voice that resonates with the entire group the most, speaking volumes about the culture Thunder has set so far.
