The Oklahoma City Thunder are deep into the second apron, have extensions they'll soon need to offer, and a flurry of club options they must make final decisions on. The Los Angeles Lakers have half a decade of regret after letting Alex Caruso walk and ultimately win a title with the Thunder.
If the Thunder are unwilling to decline the team options for Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein, but still want to clear cap space, the Lakers should call for Caruso.
Oklahoma City is currently $28,574,372 above the second apron, per Spotrac. Thankfully, they have three fairly lucrative club options that they could hypothetically decline to get below the second apron: Hartenstein at $28.5 million, Dort at $17,722,222, and Kenrich Williams at $7,163,000.
Franchise player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is expected to ask the Thunder to bring Dort back, however, and Hartenstein could return, as well, after fellow big Chet Holmgren failed to inspire faith during the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
That makes Caruso's $19,550,160 salary for the 2026-27 season worth keeping a close eye on. His defense and leadership are undoubtedly valued in Oklahoma City, but if there's an area in which they can afford to trim the talent, it's along the wings—particularly if they intend to extend Cason Wallace and continue developing Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain.
For a Lakers team with money to spend and a desperate need for a top-tier wing defender, reuniting with a player they never should've let walk is thus a possibility they should at least explore.
If OKC wants to cut costs, Alex Caruso's $19,550,160 salary is a big one
In addition to Oklahoma City valuing Caruso being a reason they may not trade him, there's a case to be made that Los Angeles shouldn't make a move for him. Caruso is already 32 years of age and has three years and $62,994,960 remaining on his contract.
For a Lakers team that's hoping to get younger and more athletic, that may not be the most ideal long-term financial commitment. Even still, it should at least be considered.
Caruso rose to prominence with the Lakers, helping them win the 2020 NBA championship. Since then, he's become a two-time All-Defense honoree, won a second title, and has firmly established himself as one of the absolute best defenders in the Association.
That hasn't changed with age or time. In 2025-26, Caruso ranked in the 94th percentile in perimeter isolation defense and the 86th percentile in off-ball chaser defense, per Basketball Index.
In Los Angeles, Caruso could be the point of attack defender they've desperately needed since they failed to re-sign him in 2021. He could take immeasurable pressure off of Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves with his on-ball pressure, all the while working alongside whomever the Lakers sign in free agency to improve the defense at large.
It's admittedly a long shot, but the Lakers should test the waters and see if a reunion is possible given Oklahoma City's complex financial situation.
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