Why didn't Lakers keep Alex Caruso? Thunder's key piece could've been with LeBron James, Luka Doncic

Oh, what could've been.

The Lakers had Alex Caruso and just had to pay him $9 million per year to keep him into a new season.

Instead, they let Caruso walk in free agency and join the Chicago Bulls after the 2020-21 season.

The Bulls eventually traded Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who just played their first game of the second round on Monday night.

It never had to be this way, and if Caruso had stayed, perhaps LeBron and Luka would still be playing.

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Why didn't Lakers keep Alex Caruso?

The Lakers didn't want to pay Caruso.

They preferred to keep Talen Horton-Tucker as far as intriguing wing talents go.

That backfired, clearly, and even at the time it was a bit odd.

All of Caruso's on/off numbers were great, especially in LeBron's action on the floor.

L.A. probably felt like there was more upside to be found elsewhere. But it turns out a defender of Caruso's ability is more than enough to win games, too.

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Alex Caruso Lakers comments

The most notable thing Caruso said since leaving the Lakers came in early 2024 via Fox Sports.

He said, "We've been through a lot together. Always good seeing them. Every now and then you think about what could've been."

That was about LeBron James and Austin Reaves as old friends of Caruso.

The Lakers sure could've used him this time around.