The Los Angeles Lakers made multiple solid signings this offseason, one of which was bringing back Alex Caruso.
The Los Angeles Lakers are brining back Alex Caruso, on a two-year, $5.5M deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski.
This is another good signing by the Lakers front office. Alex Caruso had a great finish to the second half of the 2018-19 season.
Caruso has been on a two-way contract for two years, back and forth between the g league and the NBA, but now, Caruso has proven to his teammates, and front office, that he deserves and he has earned an NBA contract.
Caruso played in 25 games for the Lakers this past season. He averaged 9.2 points, on 44.5% shooting, 2.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists, while shooting, 79.7% from the free-throw line.
Deal: two years, $5.5M https://t.co/5Xxrcd5j9u
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 6, 2019
As the Lakers injuries began to pile up, and the Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs, Caruso was given an opportunity to prove himself, and he did just that. Caruso had some memorable moments last season, but the most memorable game he had was against the Clippers. Caruso scored 32 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, dished out five assists and scored the go-ahead basket to lead the Lakers to a win against the Clippers.
Caruso is just 25-years old, and he has earned a starting spot in the NBA. The Lakers now have three point guards: Rajon Rondo, Quinn Cook, and Alex Caruso.
Caruso will likely be the third option for another year, however, Caruso has shown that he can be a starter in the NBA. During the final six games of the season, last season, Caruso was given a bigger opportunity, and he took full advantage of it, averaging 18.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.8 steals, per game.
In the last six games of the season, Caruso showed that if he’s given an opportunity, which he was, he will be a reliable option, and remain consistent. I know it’s just six games, but he was given an opportunity and took full advantage of it.
If the Lakers were to start LeBron James, Alex Caruso, Kyle Kuzma, Anthony Davis, and DeMarcus Cousins, the opposition would think to put the worse guard of the two on Caruso. That won’t be smart, but they won’t have another choice with the other options on the floor, all 6’8” and taller. Caruso would take full advantage of that opportunity as well, and seize the moment.
I think if Caruso is given an opportunity to start, especially with LeBron running the show, he will be much more effective. He would be coming off screens, spotting up, trying to find different ways to score. Caruso shot close to 50% from three last season, and that percentage will only improve when he’s playing in a shooting guard role.
Caruso should be given an opportunity to start, as mentioned earlier. He has shown that he can step up in big moments. He’s shown that he can handle the ball, not turn the ball over much, and he is a good 3-point shooter. On top of all that, he is a good defender as well.
This was a good signing by the Lakers front office, and hopefully, Alex Caruso is given an opportunity with the new-look Lakers to prove himself.