Kendrick Perkins Makes Bold Statement About Alex Caruso
NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins made a bold statement about Oklahoma City Thunder guard Alex Caruso, calling him one of the top-five role players in NBA history.
Speaking on ESPN NBA, Perkins offered up immense praise for Caruso, the two-time NBA Champion with the Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers.
He's top-five role players of all time."
"(Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and Isaiah Hartenstein get all the praise, and rightfully so, but we're damn sure not about to start this discussion without mentioning Alex Caruso, ok? Alex Caruso has been the second-best player on the Oklahoma City Thunder in these conference finals. The way he's been producing on both ends of the floor -- he's knocking down 3-point shots -- when you talk about being a game changer, when you talk about coming in and stepping up in the big moments, he's already to me, just from watching him in this series and in this postseason, he's top-five role players of all time," Perkins said.
"I'm putting him up there with Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, and Danny Green. In order to make that top five, you gotta have multiple rings. He has two championships. On the Lakers, he was a huge X-factor. It just brings me back to the moment of last year, in the semifinals against (Nikola) Jokic in Game 7, how he's just a Swiss Army Knife. This man will cut you everywhere below. I'm looking forward -- we don't know the status of (Jalen Williams) -- but can Alex Caruso bring the 24 points per game that he's averaging at the crib, can he bring that on the road?"
Alex Caruso Has Been a Standout for OKC Thunder in the Postseason
Caruso has been incredible for the Thunder this postseason, and he has played especially well against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. In Game 1, Caruso scored 31 points on 11-19 shooting, including going 8-14 from 3-point range, though the Thunder ultimately lost the thriller 122-115 in double OT. In Game 2, Caruso scored 17 points as the Thunder beat the Spurs 112-113 to even up the series at 1-1.
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It was an impressive performance by Caruso, one that got Perkins hyped up, and understandably so, as Caruso has been incredible for OKC despite not having the flashy game of his teammate, the two-time NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander. But Caruso has arguably been just as important to the Thunder so far in this series against the Spurs, one that the Thunder will need to win if they want to defend their NBA Championship in back-to-back years.
Related: LeBron James Divulges Timeline for Potential Retirement Decision
Alex Caruso is on a Value Contract
In December 2024, the Thunder locked down Caruso on a four-year, $81 million contract extension that looks like a bargain right now, given the high level he is performing at.
Not only is Caruso scoring at an insane clip during the playoffs, but he is also an elite defensive player. Therefore, the Thunder are getting plenty of value out of him this season, one where he makes $18.1 million.
After this season, Caruso has three more years left on his deal at $19.5 million, $21 million, and $22.5 million. Based on everything he brings to the table, this contract is a steal, as he has been performing like someone making twice as much money as that.
At age 32, Caruso is no spring chicken. But he has shown during this postseason that he has plenty of gas left in his tank, and he will have a chance to earn a third NBA ring this year if he can help the Thunder past the Spurs and into the NBA Finals for a second straight year, where they will play either the New York Knicks or Cleveland Cavaliers.
Related: DeMarcus Cousins Assigns Blame After Thunder Lose Game 1 to Spurs
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This story was originally published May 21, 2026 at 4:31 PM.