1 for 9! Thunder two deals! Changed the western pattern

On May 29, the Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 124-94 at home, and entered the finals 4-1 with a total score. In this game, Alexander made 14 of 25 shots, scoring 34 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals, plus or negative value +23. In the entire Western Conference Finals, Alexander averaged 31.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game, and was elected as the MVP of the Western Conference Finals without any suspense.

Caruso made 1 of 5 shots, 6 of 6 free throws, scored 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals, plus or negative value +13. Although Caruso's shooting feels bad, he is everywhere on the defensive end, from No. 1 to No. 5. In this year's playoffs, Caruso's defensive efficiency was 101.3, ranking first in the league; his net efficiency was 16.2, ranking fourth in the league.

Since the playoffs, Caruso averaged 22.5 minutes per game, scoring 8.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.7 turnovers, with three shooting percentages: 45.8%, 41.5%, 76.2%. In the 2024 offseason, the Thunder sent Gidey to the Bulls, 1 for 1 and got Caruso. Then the Thunder completed a contract renewal with Caruso for 81 million US dollars in four years.

The Thunder wants to thank the Bulls the most, but the Clippers. In the summer of 2019, the Thunder gave George to the Clippers, and 1 for 9 got Alexander + Gallinari + 5 first-round picks + 2 first-round swaps. In the 2022 draft, the Thunder used the Clippers' first round No. 12 pick to pick Jaylen Williams. The Clippers still owe the Thunder 1 first round + 1 first round swap.

This year's playoffs, Alexander scored at least 30 points and 5 assists 10 times, becoming the third player in NBA history to do this, with the first two being Jordan and James (up to 11 times a season). The finals have not started yet, and Alexander is likely to break the historical record. This season, he has won the points, regular season MVP and Western Conference Finals MVP!

After today's Western Conference Finals, the Clippers' reporter Farbod Esnaashari wrote: "If Kat had not asked to introduce George back then, the Clippers would let Alexander grow with those draft picks, how great would the Clippers be today?" Then again, if Alexander really stayed with the Clippers, he might not have been able to achieve his current achievements.

In June 2007, Presti became the general manager of the Thunder. He sent away two core core members, Ray Allen and Lewis, with amazing courage. In the next seven years, the Thunder holds 29 draft picks! It's really a big deal!