NBA Notes: Thunder, Alex Caruso, Pelicans, Spurs, Chris Paul

Thunder

Guard Alex Caruso is expected to bring scrappiness and a winning attitude to Thunder, and could end up being one of the most underrated faces in a new place. Caruso was acquired in a trade with the Bulls.

“It was evident throughout the second half of the regular season that Oklahoma City — specifically guard Josh Giddey — was going to be tested once the playoffs began,” wrote Chris Herring of ESPN. “The Thunder offense boasts incredible spacing, which prompted defenses to sag off of the below-average shooting Giddey at the 3-point line in hopes of sealing off Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the paint. That strategy worked for the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference semifinals, where Giddey shot just 18.8% (3-for-16) from beyond the arc, and the Thunder — a minus-23 with him on the court during that series — played him sparingly as a result.”

Enter Caruso, perhaps one of the league’s grittiest all-around players.

“That’s where a 30-year-old Caruso, one of the most tenacious defenders in the league and coming off a career-best 40.8% mark from 3 this past season, comes into play,” Herring wrote. “He makes an already stout Thunder defense even better, and may very well rid the group of the spacing problem that arose with Giddey in the mix, particularly in the postseason.”

• The addition of center Isaiah Hartenstein will only benefit OKC as well. “He’s an impressive rim protector and rebounder as well as a fantastic passer that should thrive with an unselfish, high-octane team like the Thunder, who already enjoyed ample spacing,” Herring wrote.

Pelicans

Of course, when you’re talking underrated additions, you can’t forget Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray, acquired in a trade with the Hawks.

“After two years of splitting ballhandling duties with Trae Young in Atlanta, Murray’s trade to New Orleans should put the ball back in his hands on a regular basis,” wrote Kevin Pelton of ESPN. “Given the Pelicans’ other scoring threats, including Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, it might not be realistic to expect the 25.1 points and 9.1 assists per game Murray averaged when Young was out of the lineup last season. Still, Murray is the most dynamic guard New Orleans has had since Chris Paul.”

Spurs

Speaking of Paul, he may be way past his prime, but his know-how should only help the center Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.

“By no means will Paul’s addition in San Antonio make the Spurs a contender,” Herring wrote. “But his abundant wisdom and skill, plus the growth many expect to see from Wembanyama in his second year, could easily have the Spurs in the hunt for a playoff spot in the loaded West. If he helps lead them there, it’d be a slightly less surprising version of what Paul pulled off with the Thunder back in 2020 by getting them to the playoffs in a somewhat similar position.”

Herring is right. If Paul has anything left, the Spurs could take a quick next step.

“Paul, 39, should be a perfect pick-and-roll partner for Wembanyama as his efficiency numbers this past season — 44% from the floor overall, and 37% from 3 — remained unchanged from the year before,” Herring added. “The key question will be whether he can stay healthy. If he can, his tutelage will be extraordinarily meaningful with Wembanyama and the other Spurs youngsters.”