After nearly a decade, Mark Daigneault and Alex Caruso were reunited as a coach-player duo, this time with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Caruso was traded to the Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey going to the Chicago Bulls. The 30-year-old Caruso is seen as a smooth fit for OKC due to his 3-and-D abilities.
Caruso’s NBA career began with the OKC Blue after going undrafted in 2016. He later moved on to play for the Los Angeles Lakers, where he established himself in the league. In 2021, Caruso joined the Bulls and had personal success, making back-to-back All-Defensive Teams and shooting well from the 3-point line.
Daigneault also followed an unorthodox path, going from the Blue’s head coach to Thunder assistant and then becoming the head coach in 2020. His coaching skills were recognized when he was named Coach of the Year last season, leading the Thunder to become the youngest first seed in league history.
After their distinct journeys to success, Caruso and Daigneault are excited to work together again. Caruso expressed his enthusiasm for playing under Daigneault’s leadership, remembering their time together with fondness. As the Thunder aim to compete, Daigneault will have more opportunities to shape the team’s roster to fit their playing style, benefiting from his relationship with Caruso.
Even though Caruso’s contract with the Thunder is for just one year, it is clear that both sides see the value in their partnership. They have both grown since their earlier experiences together, and they are looking forward to building on those lessons in their current roles with the Thunder.