Los Angeles Lakers: The case for Alex Caruso as starting point guard

Alex Caruso has the potential to be the starting point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers next season.

It was a heck of a journey for Alex Caruso. He began his NBA career in 2017 as an undrafted rookie who received a non-guaranteed contract from the Los Angeles Lakers and had to prove himself in Summer League to obtain a two-way, two-year deal.

Fast forward two years, and Caruso is under contract for two years again. This time, it is a regular full NBA deal that will pay him $5.5 million. The point guard climbed his way up the Lakers rotation, keeping his head low and working constantly for two years.

Bouncing from NBA to G-League, he never complained and never took for granted the chances he was given. In March, he exploded averaging 12.4 points and 4.2 assists per game.

Caruso was a great floor general and averaged an even better 17.8 and 8.8 assists through the last four games as a starter. Thanks to those performances he now finds himself as a full-time member of the Lakers while positions for big roles are still open.

Speculation of LeBron James starting at point guard have already started to swirl around the league. But head coach Frank Vogel was fast to silence them, saying that nothing has been decided so far. It is way too early.

Taking a look at Lakers’ point guard depth, Vogel will have a tough decision to make.

Besides Caruso and LeBron James, Quinn Cook and Rajon Rondo are the other available candidates.

Despite being a former NBA champion, All-Star, and league assist leader, Rondo is not a great fit next to LeBron James on the floor, as a player who badly needs the ball in his hands to be effective. Also, he is not a good 3-point shooter (despite registering a decent 35.9 percent on 3.1 attempts last year).

He looks more suited to come off the bench leading the second unit and making it a fearsome weapon with all the scorers he will set up. He is also the perfect replacement as floor general and leader for LeBron, allowing the 34-year-old to get some rest.

Quinn Cook will probably be the main threat at Caruso’s chances to start. He comes from a winning organization in the Golden State Warriors. He perfectly fits the need of an experienced spot up shooting point guard who does not monopolize the offense, leaving James the control.

Last year, down the stretch, Alex showed he could make a great point guard to complete the starting lineup. A willing passer who does not lack vision, he also can move masterfully without the ball, reading defenses and understanding how adversaries react.

On the other end of the court, he is a competent defender and his big frame for a point guard, 6’5″, allows him to defend multiple positions, especially useful in pick-and-roll-switching situations.

Overall, there is one thing that will decide if he deserves that starting spot or if he does not stand a chance. Shooting. In 25 games, last season, the Texan shot an outstanding 48 percent from three and 46.9 through the last 18 games. If he proves that his improved shooting was not a fluke and can regularly approach those numbers (we certainly do not expect 48 percent through 82 games), his way to the starting lineup or at least big minutes will be much easier.

At 25-years-old, though with limited NBA experience, Caruso is still entering his prime and could develop his talent in tandem with Anthony Davis. He could be a blessing for the Lakers with another reliable piece once LeBron will leave the team and Davis will hopefully remains.