Los Angeles Lakers have three of the best bargain contracts in the NBA
Alex Caruso
Alex Caruso finished last season with the 16th best defensive rating in the NBA (minimum 15 minutes per game).
This season Alex Caruso has the 8th best defensive rating in the association (minimum 15 MPG).
It’s time for everybody to admit that even though Caruso looks like a rec league player, he’s one of the best defensive wings in the NBA. “Bald Eagle” has the rare combination of height (6’5″), agility, and quick hands, which he uses to terrorize his assignment’s on the less glamorous side of the ball.
Plus, Alex has one of the best motors in the NBA, an attribute that is rarely discussed but is incredibly valuable. It’s unusual to see a guy go 100 percent on every defensive play, but Caruso takes such pride on the less glamorous side of the ball that often, it feels like he’s somehow playing at 110% while he’s on the floor.
Last year we heard a lot of talk about how transcendent Lonzo Ball was on defense because of his exceptional ability to see plays before they happened, which in turn allowed him to jump passing lanes and cause havoc. Lonzo was a solid defender for the Lakers last season, but he can’t compare to Alex Caruso.
Next time you watch a Lakers game, focus on the way Caruso plays defense. The guy is always in the right place at the right time. If the Lakers need help in the lane, Caruso sprints over to protect the rim. If there’s a man open from deep, Alex flies over and gets a hand up in his face. Caruso is a tremendous on-the-ball pest, but he’s an even better help defender.
Alex Caruso has put up quiet numbers on offense, but he’s converting slightly over 80 percent of his shots at the rim, and his 3-point % has slowly crept over 30 percent. Overall the Lakers are +13.3 points when Caruso’s on the court and -0.4 when he’s on the bench.
Alex Caruso’s LA neighbor, Patrick Beverly, talks a big game, and he scowls, and he tries to intimidate the opposition. Still, despite Beverly’s nightly tough-guy display, he’s nowhere near the player “Bald Mamba” is.
- Alex Caruso’s averaging 5.1 PPG, 1.9 APG, 31 3P%, with a 95.5 DEFRTG, and 0.7 DWS.
- Patrick Beverly’s averaging 7.5 PPG, 3.3 APG, 29.1 3P%, with a 100.9 DEFRTG (48th in the NBA, min 15 MPG), and 1.0 DWS.
Overall, Caruso’s numbers are better than Beverly’s, but Alex is making $3 million this season, while his Staples Center co-tenant is earning $12 million.
Caruso is slowing becoming Frank Vogel’s go-to perimeter stopper, even over defensive star, Danny Green. “Bald Mamba’s incredible prowess on defense at the bargain-basement price of $3 million per season, makes him the league’s best inexpensive wing defender.