Tag: okc thunder

Texas A&M Hall of Famer earns a big NBA payday

From G-League to All-NBA defensive team Alex Caruso earns a multi-year contract from OKC

Bryan-College Station native Alex Caruso is living the dream of playing a key role for an NBA franchise. Nothing was given to him as he worked his way from the G-league to one of the best defenders in the league, and it paid off in a big way on Sunday afternoon.

It was announced that the Texas A&M basketball fan favorite signed a four-year, $81 million contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, per Shams Charania. He joined OKC after stints with the Los Angeles Lakers and Chicago Bulls.

Caruso will help ensure the perimeter defense and add a few points on the offensive end. Locking him up was a key priority for the Thunder to keep a solid core together of their young playoff team.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on Twitter: @whosnextsports1.

Thunder guard and Texas A&M alumnus Alex Caruso rated higher in NBA 2k25 than 2 legends

Ahead of the release for NBA 2k25, player ratings have begun to be revealed and the newest member of the Thunder is ranked ahead of legends.

As one of the best defensive guards in the NBA, Texas A&M alumnus Alex Caruso is well respected by his peers — and deservingly so.

Ahead of the release for NBA 2k25 on Sept. 6, player ratings have begun to be revealed and the newest member of the Thunder is ranked ahead of two future Basketball Hall of Famers.

Caruso was given an 82 rating which ranked him 71st overall in the association. Other players with an identical rating include: Jalen Suggs, Herbert Jones, Jerami Grant, Darius Garland, Ivica Zubac and Jonas Valančiūnas.

The combo guard found himself slotted ahead of five former NBA All-Stars, two of which are arguably first ballot Hall of Famers. Those pair of legends are Chris Paul and Klay Thompson. After Caruso was traded to Oklahoma City in June, the move was compared to when the Golden State Warriors acquired Thompson’s former teammate, Andre Iguodala.

The other three All-Stars ranked behind Caruso, all of which with an 81 rating, are D’Angelo Russell, Mike Conley and Nikola Vucevic.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

 

‘Where I started,’ Texas A&M alumnus Alex Caruso reflects on Oklahoma City Thunder return

“It’s been nice, some good memories. Obviously, this is where I started my professional career,” Caruso recalled. “So many familiar faces.”

After going undrafted out of Texas A&M in 2016, combo guard Alex Caruso signed his first professional contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder organization after playing for the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA Summer League.

Less than eight years later, Caruso has returned to wearing Thunder blue, orange and white after being traded to Oklahoma City from Chicago last week.

“It’s been nice, some good memories. Obviously, this is where I started my professional career,” Caruso recalled. “So many familiar faces. The continuity of the organization has been great and I think that’ll really help me ease back into it and get to know my teammates. The facility is still the same so I know where everything is at. I’m just really excited to be here.”

Caruso was traded straight up for point guard Josh Giddey.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Recent Alex Caruso trade is comparable to signing of future NBA Finals MVP, per ESPN’s Woj

“They see Caruso comparable to what the Warriors did bringing in Andre Iguodala at about the same development point in each organization.”

Texas A&M alumnus Alex Caruso is a new member of the Oklahoma City Thunder following a trade from the Chicago Bulls.

After breaking the news Thursday, ESPN senior NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski compared the deal to when the Golden State Warriors signed small forward Andre Iguodala in July 2013.

“Oklahoma City has been in pursuit, along with a lot of other teams around in the league, of Alex Caruso for years! They see him fitting seamlessly into their team that was the No. 1 seed in the west,” Wojnarowski told Elle Duncan on SportsCenter. “They’re going to have the best on-ball defense in the league.

“They see Caruso comparable to what the Golden State Warriors did 11 years ago bringing in Andre Iguodala at about the same development point in each organization, both players 30-years-old.”

Iguodala won 2015 NBA Finals MVP and four championships in the Bay Area. Like Caruso thus far, he was selected to two NBA All-Defensive teams, the first squad in 2014 and the second unit in 2011 with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

Chicago trades Texas A&M alumnus Alex Caruso to Western Conference for former Top 10 pick

Following three seasons with Chicago, Texas A&M alumnus Alex Caruso is headed back to the Western Conference after being traded on Thursday.

Following three years with in the Windy City, former Texas A&M combo guard Alex Caruso has been dealt back to the Western Conference.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski, the Chicago Bulls traded the Aggies alumnus on Thursday to Oklahoma City for point guard Josh Giddey, who the Thunder drafted sixth overall in 2021.

After delivering a “Woj Bomb,” the ESPN senior NBA insider noted that Caruso is entering the final season of a four-year, $37 million contract that he signed in August 2021 during free agency. Per Wojnarowski, Caruso “becomes eligible for a four-year, approximately $80M extension,” on Dec. 20.

Caruso was selected to the NBA All-Defensive teams in back-to-back seasons, making the first squad in 2023 and second unit this year. He played 137 games at Texas A&M over four campaigns before going undrafted in 2016.

His first NBA contract was ironically with the Thunder, which he signed on Sept. 23. However, Caruso was waived 24 days later and joined the OKC Blue on Nov. 3, beginning his professional career in the G League.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Shaun on Twitter: @Shaun_Holkko.

OKC Thunder to face Dallas Mavericks in Round 2 of 2024 NBA playoffs

OKC Thunder to face Dallas Mavericks in Round 2 of 2024 NBA playoffs.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will face the Dallas Mavericks in the second-round of the 2024 NBA playoffs.

The first-seeded Thunder swept the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round. They’ve enjoyed a week off between series as they awaited the second-round matchup.

The Mavericks clinched their series with a win over the LA Clippers in Game 6 on Friday. Luka Doncic finished with 28 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds. Kyrie Irving had 30 points on 11-of-19 shooting.

The Thunder won three of the four matchups against the Mavericks this season. OKC’s one loss was its worst defeat of the season. It came after Dallas welcomed new additions at the trade deadline.

The full second-round series schedule can be read here.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander opens up about relationship with Mark Daigneault

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander opens up about relationship with Mark Daigneault.

The Oklahoma City Thunder had an eventful couple of days.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault was named the 2023-24 Coach of the Year on Sunday. The next day, the Thunder swept the New Orleans Pelicans in their first-round matchup with a Game 4 win.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander closed out the series with a 24-point performance. After the win, the MVP candidate discussed Daigneault’s award and went into detail about his affinity for the 39-year-old coach.

“He started coaching the year my role changed as a player. To see his growth from that beginning to where it is now is amazing,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I’ve never really had a relationship with a coach on this professional level like I have with him.

“It just makes it easy to play. I think I can say that for the guys across the whole team. He’s so easy to play for because he’s humble, he doesn’t love taking credit, he doesn’t take care about himself, he’s selfless. When he messes up he owns it.

“Because he’s that way, he can get on us. He can hold us accountable because he holds himself accountable. It’s just rare to see at this level. We don’t take him for granted, I don’t take him for granted. Deserved Coach of the Year for sure.”

This was a very well-said response by Gilgeous-Alexander. The duo have been tied to the hip through this rebuild as the coach-star relationship. The 25-year-old has blossomed into one of the best players in the league under his tenure.

Gilgeous-Alexander singling out his relationship with Daigneault is a high compliment in itself. He’s had his fair share of surefire future Hall of Famers who’ve coached him in notable names like John Calipari, Doc Rivers and Billy Donovan.

For a title contender like the Thunder, arguably the most important relationship that needs constant nurturement is the head coach and franchise star.

If they’re on the same page, that creates a positive synergy that trickles down throughout the roster and translates to on-court success. It looks like Gilgeous-Alexander’s and Daigneault’s relationship has only strengthened as OKC has graduated to contender status this season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Sam Presti finishes 2nd in 2023-24 Executive of the Year award

Sam Presti finish 2nd in 2023-24 Executive of the Year award.

The NBA announced Boston Celtics’ Brad Stevens is the 2023-24 Executive of the Year award winner on Tuesday. Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti finished second in voting.

Stevens won by a healthy margin with 101 voting points. He collected 16 first-place votes, six second-place votes and three third-place votes. Meanwhile, Presti had 47 voting points. He had four first-place votes, seven second-place votes and six third-place votes.

The full voting results can be read below:

Image

Since being named the GM in 2007, Presti has been one of the best executives in the league, turning the Thunder into a perennial contender for most of his tenure.

This past season the Thunder jumped to the top seed in the West with a 57-25 record. The trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams headline one of the best cores in the league. Mark Daigneault is also one of the best head coaches in the league, winning Coach of the Year.

Considering the type of success the Thunder have enjoyed this season thus far, it’s not a shocker to see Presti get recognition for the work he’s done to assemble this roster over the last few years.

The 46-year-old has set up the Thunder for another lengthy contention window. A first-round sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans was the first of likely many successful playoff moments for this group.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Full injury report for Monday’s Thunder vs. Pelicans Game 4 matchup

Full injury report for Monday’s Thunder vs. Pelicans Game 4 matchup.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will have a chance to complete the first-round series sweep of the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday in Game 4.

The Thunder have a clean bill of health for Game 4. Nobody was on their injury report.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans will be without Zion Williamson (hamstring strain), who will miss most — if not all — of the first-round series. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (ankle sprain) is questionable.

The Thunder blew out the Pelicans in Game 3 on Saturday. It was the second straight lopsided win for OKC against New Orleans. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams each scored 20-plus points.

Meanwhile, the Pelicans continue to struggle to generate points. They were held to 85 points in their blowout loss in Game 3.

Tipoff from New Orleans is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

OKC Thunder’s Mark Daigneault named 2023-24 Coach of the Year winner

OKC Thunder’s Mark Daigneault named 2023-24 Coach of the Year winner.

The NBA announced Oklahoma City Thunder’s Mark Daigneault as the winner of the 2023-24 Coach of the Year award on Sunday.

This comes after Daigneault also won the NBCA’s version of the Coach of the Year award this season. Chris Finch and Jamahl Mosley were the other finalists for the award.

In his fourth season as the head coach, Daigneault led OKC to the youngest top seed in league history. The Thunder finished with a 57-25 record, a 17-win jump from last season’s 40-42 record.

The 39-year-old has grown from an unknown to one of the best head coaches in the league since he took over the job from Billy Donovan in 2020. He’s set up the success of several players on the roster during his tenure.

The full voting results for Coach of the Year can be read below:

Image

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]