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Los Angeles, CA, Monday, November 15, 2021 - Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso (6) hugs LeBron James during a break in the first quarter as the former Laker is given a tribute at Staples Center. Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers may have a realistic chance of bringing back Alex Caruso during the upcoming offseason. General Manager Rob Pelinka has prepared to have a lot of cap space available to either sign new talents or trade for a contract other teams will want to unload. The Oklahoma City Thunder is starting to run into financial hardships of picking which players to keep long-term, and Caruso’s contract may be worth trading for flexibility.

Lake Show Life reported the chances of the Laker getting Caruso are strong:

“The Los Angeles Lakers will have a shot to bring back Alex Caruso in the offseason after the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Game 1 domination over the Phoenix Suns proved he’s a luxury.  They only needed 13 minutes from the 6’5 guard.

Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell are ready for more run, and Thunder will jump over the second apron this summer as the Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams extensions kick in. OKC will be looking to shed salary, and Caruso could be readily available.”

Caruso only playing 13 minutes in a playoff game shows how expendable he is to a team like the Thunder. Players like Cason Wallace and Ajay Mitchell have become more valuable to Oklahoma City via their team-friendly contracts and youth. Caruso may be the ideal contract for the Thunder to trade since they barely play him in pivotal games now.

How Lakers Can Get Alex Caruso

Caruso is expected to make between $19 million and $22 million each year over the next three seasons before his contract expires. Oklahoma City clearly would prefer to save this money and rely on their other rotation players who improved a lot this season.

The Lakers will free up enough cap space this summer to take Caruso back without giving up much. Thunder management could opt to take a chance on less celebrated prospect Dalton Knecht and prioritize a future Lakers first round draft pick.

Caruso is within reach for the Lakers, but they’d have to prioritize him above all other options once they extend Austin Reaves to a long-term deal. Reaves is the main priority for the Lakers, and they’ll figure out the rest of their plan from there. Caruso’s trade compensation is not that high for a proven top defender.

Lakers Fans Would Love Caruso Reunion

The first four seasons of Caruso’s career with the Lakers made him a fan favorite in Los Angeles, especially after contributing to the 2020 NBA Championship. Management wanted to keep Caruso, but his value was too high in free agency.

Caruso joining the Chicago Bulls saw the Lakers defense instantly taking a hit and never returning to that form. Lakers fans often give Caruso a warm welcome when he returns on the road team to prove he’s still beloved.

LeBron James will have to sign a new deal as well, but Caruso joining the roster may tempt him. Past comments saw LeBron revealing Caruso is one of the best defenders he’s ever played with and a generally great teammate. Everyone on the Lakers side would be ecstatic for a Caruso return, and he would solve their biggest question on defense.