9. Alex Caruso — Oklahoma City Thunder
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The Lakers have been excellent at identifying undrafted talent. The previously mentioned Austin Reaves is the most recent example, but the front office in Los Angeles also gave Alex Caruso his first chance in the NBA. Caruso was a bright spot off the bench for the 2020 title-winning team. The fans in LA were devastated when he went unsigned and eventually landed with the Chicago Bulls in the ’21 offseason. In Chicago, Caruso became recognized as one of the league’s most impactful perimeter defenders. He’s made All-Defensive teams each of the last two seasons and has also developed a reliable outside jumper (40.8-percent from three in ’24). After getting traded to the Thunder this past Summer, Caruso will have another chance to make an impact for a contending team.
