He’s now a key contributor for the Thunder in the NBA Finals — but he started his pro career earning just $13,000

It’s easy to assume that those on the court for the NBA Finals this month, at the very pinnacle of the game, were always destined for stardom.

To make it through to this point is something that only a tiny proportion of even the most talented of college players will achieve. But for some players that journey was not predetermined and it required an incredible amount of work to reach those heights.

Take Alex Caruso, for example. He is a key part of the Oklahoma City Thunder team looking to win a championship for only the second time in franchise history but his start in the NBA was much less celebrated.

After a modest college career, Caruso went undrafted at the 2016 NBA Draft and was forced to tryout with teams, hoping to land his first professional contract. He traveled to Philadelphia to train with the 76ers but was ultimately not selected, but in September was then handed a lifeline by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Thunder invited Caruso to try out for a spot on their G League affiliate, Oklahoma City Blue. Little did he know, then-Blue coach Mark Daigneault had seen him during his college days at Texas A&M and was impressed by Caruso’s fierce play through to the bitter end of a blowout loss to Florida.

Needless to say, Caruso impressed on trial with the Blue and was given his first step into the professional game. Not that it was a particularly lucrative one. He was given an Exhibit 10 contract, which featured a $50,000 signing bonus and an initial salary of $13,000.

He led the Blue to the second round of the G League playoffs and was then snapped up by the LA Lakers, with whom he gradually became an NBA regular. But when his contract finished in 2021 the Lakers were unwilling to match the four-year, $37 million deal offered by the Chicago Bulls.

In 2024, Caruso was traded back to the Thunder in return for Josh Giddey and he again enjoyed a significant increase in earnings. Last December, Caruso was handed a four-year contract extension worth $81 million. He is now competing for a second NBA championship of his career, a long way removed from that first $13,000 contract.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.