Indiana Pacers: 4 under-the-radar free agents to target in the offseason

Alex Caruso brings championship experience and grit to the Indiana Pacers

If you think that Alex Caruso is more valuable in the meme section than basketball, then you’re missing out on Carushow’s dependable skillset. Despite being known more as a commodity for social media relief, the fourth-year player has been a valuable piece for the Los Angeles Lakers for two seasons already.

In their championship run last season, Caruso proved his mettle as a reliable backcourt stopper in Frank Vogel’s defensive schemes. The Lakers primarily used him off the bench to provide a jolt of energy in the game by constantly providing pressure against talented scorers in the guard positions. In the playoffs, he was deployed to help slow down the likes of Damian Lillard, Russell Westbrook, and Jamal Murray as the Purple and Gold took a cakewalk run to a title.

However, Caruso is not indispensable, especially if the Lakers have grander plans in the offseason. If another team expresses interest and gives a sizeable offer to make Los Angeles hesitant on handing him an extension, then bet on that team seizing the defensive stopper. And that team could be the Indiana Pacers, who could certainly use a quality backcourt piece next to the oft-injured Malcolm Brogdon and scorer Caris LeVert, especially with TJ McConnell entering free agency.