Lakers' Decision to Let Caruso Walk Wasn't About Money—It Was a Valuation Error, Says Analyst
The $37 Million Question
When Alex Caruso signed with Chicago for 4 years/$37 million in 2021, Lakers fans erupted. Not because it was an overpay—but because LA could have matched it for roughly the same tax hit they absorbed for Kendrick Nunn and Talen Horton-Tucker. As BR’s Eric Pincus noted: “They spent more on THT, Nunn and Beverley… This was purely about not valuing Caruso.”
The Data Doesn’t Lie
Let’s examine the numbers post-Caruso era (2021-2023):
- Defensive rating: Lakers dropped from 6th to 22nd
- Backcourt steals: Decreased by 1.7 per game
- Net rating with LeBron: +8.3 with Caruso vs +4.1 without
The advanced metrics screamed “keep him,” yet GM Rob Pelinka saw expendable role player energy where analytics saw elite connective tissue.
The Replacement Fallacy
LA’s front office bet on these alternatives instead:
- THT ($32M/3yrs): -0.2 BPM last season
- Patrick Beverley: Traded after 45 games
- Kendrick Nunn: Missed entire first season
Meanwhile, Caruso became an All-Defensive selection while earning less than any of them annually.
A Pattern of Misvaluation
This fits the Lakers’ recent trend of misreading role player impact:
- Letting Julius Randle walk (2018)
- Trading Ivica Zubac for Mike Muscala (2019) becoming routine in a world where front offices treat defensive specialists like replaceable parts.
WindyCityAlgo
Hot comment (9)
ข้อมูลไม่โกหก แต่คนดูข้อมูลสิ!
Lakers ยอมเสีย Caruso ให้ Bulls แบบไม่คิดมาก ทั้งที่ตัวเลขมันตะโกนว่า “เก็บเขาไว้”!
- Rating การป้องกันตกลงจากอันดับ 6 ไปอยู่ที่ 22
- เกมกับ LeBron ได้แต้มเฉลี่ย +8.3 ตอนมีเขา เทียบกับ +4.1 ตอนไม่มี
ที่แย่กว่าคือทางเลือกแทนที่
เลือกจ่ายเงินให้ THT, Beverley กับ Nunn ที่ผลงานแย่กว่าแทน… เหมือนทิ้งทองไปกองแล้วไปเก็บเหรียญแดงมาแทนอะ!
สรุป: นี่ไม่ใช่เรื่องเงิน แต่เป็นการ”ประเมินค่าผิด”แบบสุดๆ จริงๆ นะ!
พวกคุณคิดยังไงครับ? เชียร์ Lakers แล้วปวดใจหรือเปล่า? 😂
Math Over Mystique
The Lakers front office must be using abacuses instead of Python models. How else do you explain choosing THT (-0.2 BPM!) over an All-Defensive guard who made LeBron 2x more effective?
Tax Logic Fail
Same luxury tax hit for keeping Caruso… but they’d rather pay Beverley to leave after 45 games? Even my regression models can’t predict this level of front office chaos.
[visualize this travesty] Defensive rating dropping from 6th → 22nd post-Caruso looks like my stock portfolio during COVID. But hey, at least we got that legendary Mike Muscala trade, right?
Who needs advanced metrics when you have ‘vibes’? #AnalyticsNightmare
Zahlen lügen nie, aber die Lakers schon!
Die Lakers haben Caruso gehen lassen und stattdessen THT & Co. behalten? Ein klassischer Fall von “Wir vertrauen unseren Augen mehr als den Daten”. Die Defensiv-Statistiken sind eindeutig: Ohne Caruso ist die Mannschaft von Platz 6 auf 22 abgerutscht – das ist kein Zufall, sondern Mathe!
Der teuerste Fehler seit Muscala
37 Millionen für Caruso waren zu viel? Aber 32 Millionen für THT mit seinem -0.2 BPM sind okay? Da hat jemand im Management wohl die Excel-Tabellen falsch eingefärbt. Und jetzt ist Caruso All-Defensive – wer hätte das gedacht? Außer jeder mit einem Taschenrechner.
Fans, was sagt ihr? Sollen wir Rob Pelinka einen Statistik-Kurs schenken? 🧮😂
Математика від Лейкерс: 2+2=5?
Як же так вийшло, що Карусо за \(37 млн – це "забагато", а от ТГТ за \)32 млн – “саме те”? Це ж не бухгалтерія, це магія!
Захист? Не, не чув
Після відходу Карусо захист Лейкерс впав з 6-го на 22-е місце. Але хей, у них же був Беверлі… цілих 45 ігор!
Коментаторський голос:
Хлопці, ви серйозно? Це ж як продати Mercedes, щоб купити три Запорожця! Хто там у вас у статистичному відділі працює – містер Бін? 😂
Математика не бреше
Лейкерс витратили більше на THT та Нанна, ніж коштував би Карусо – і це чиста математика! Захисний рейтинг впав, але хто ж рахує ці дрібниці?
Заміна? Яка заміна?
Беверлі – 45 ігор, Нанн – нуль сезону… А Карусо став найкращим у захисті. Менеджмент Лейкерс явно грає в якусь свою гру з числами!
Що скажете, фани? Чи знайдеться хтось, хто віритиме в “геніальний” план керівництва? 😄
## Sayang talaga si Caruso!
Grabe, Lakers! Nagbayad kayo ng mas malaki para kay THT at Nunn kesa kay Caruso? Tapos ngayon, defensive rating nyo bumagsak from 6th to 22nd! Ano ba yan, parang math homework na mali ang formula!
## Replacement? Saan?!
Pinili nyo si Beverley na na-trade after 45 games, si Nunn na injured, at si THT na negative BPM. Samantalang si Caruso, naging All-Defensive team pa! Parang nagpalit ka ng gold sa basurahan!
## Pattern na ‘to!
From Randle to Zubac, hanggang kay Caruso — palaging mali ang valuation ng Lakers sa role players. Baka kelangan nila ng bagong calculator!
Kayo, anong masasabi nyo? Tama ba ang desisyon ng Lakers? Comment nyo mga bossing!
ตัดสินใจพลาดแบบ数据分析师ก็ร้องยี้!
จริงๆ ไม่ใช่ปัญหาเงินนะครับ เพราะ Lakers เสียเงินให้ THT กับ Nunn เยอะกว่าค่าตัวคารูโซ่อีก! แบบนี้เรียกว่า “สมองแลกขา” ชัดๆ (ขาหมายถึงการป้องกันนะครับ 555)
ตัวเลขมันไม่โกหก!
หลังปล่อยคารูโซ่:
- การป้องกันร่วงจากอันดับ 6 ไป 22
- สตีลลดลงเกมละ 1.7 ครั้ง
- Net rating กับ LeBron หายไปครึ่งหนึ่ง!
สรุปได้คำเดียวว่า “คิดผิดแบบไม่ต้องใช้ AI มายด์แมปก็รู้”
โปรดทราบ: นี่เป็นแพทเทิร์น!
ตั้งแต่ Randle จนถึง Zubac ล่าสุดคารูโซ่ ทีมงาน Lakers มันชอบ “ทิ้งของดี” เป็นประจำเลยนะครับเนี่ย!
คุณผู้อ่านคิดยังไงครับ? หรือว่า Pelinka มีแผนลับๆที่เราวิเคราะห์ไม่ถึง? (แต่ตัวเลขมันชัดมากอะ!)
- NBA Summer League Gem: Pacers' 44th Pick Bennedict Mathurin Goes 6-for-6, Shows Defensive ProwessAs a data-driven NBA analyst, I break down the impressive Summer League debut of Indiana Pacers' rookie Bennedict Mathurin. The 44th pick shocked with perfect 6/6 shooting (including 1/1 from three) for 13 points, plus 4 rebounds and a disruptive 4 steals in just 15 minutes. This performance suggests potential rotation readiness - let's examine what the numbers reveal about his two-way potential.
- Thunder's Win Over Pacers: A Data-Driven Reality Check on Their Championship PotentialAs a sports data analyst, I break down the Thunder's recent win against the Pacers, highlighting key stats like turnovers and scoring efficiency. While the victory might seem impressive, the numbers reveal flaws that cast doubt on their status as a true championship contender. Join me as I dissect why this performance falls short compared to past NBA title teams.
- Thunder's Switch-All Defense Stifles Pacers: Why Simplicity Wins in the NBA PlayoffsAs a data-driven analyst, I break down how Oklahoma City's ruthless switching defense neutralized Indiana's ball movement in Games 4-5. When Shai and J-Dub outscored Haliburton's trio 48-22 in isolation plays, the math became undeniable. Sometimes basketball isn't about complexity - it's about having two killers who can win 1-on-1 matchups when it matters most. Our advanced metrics show why this strategy could seal the championship in Game 6.
- Tyrese Haliburton: Play Smart, Not Just Hard – Why the Pacers' Future Hinges on Controlled AggressionAs a data-driven NBA analyst, I break down why Tyrese Haliburton's composure in high-stakes games is more valuable than raw aggression. With Indiana's salary structure rivaling OKC's, strategic patience could make them an Eastern Conference powerhouse—if their young star avoids career-derailing risks. Numbers don't lie: calculated growth beats reckless heroics.
- Data-Driven Analysis: Should the Golden State Warriors Adopt the Indiana Pacers' Offensive Blueprint?As the NBA Finals unfold, basketball analysts are drawing parallels between the Golden State Warriors and the Indiana Pacers. Both teams showcase dynamic, fast-paced offenses with an emphasis on ball movement and player mobility. But can the Warriors benefit from adopting the Pacers' model? As a London-based sports data analyst specializing in NBA metrics, I delve into the numbers to compare these two offensive systems, examining pace, shot selection, and ball movement to determine if a tactical shift could revive the Warriors' championship aspirations.
Was Klay Thompson Really a Superstar in 2018-19? A Data-Driven Look at His Peak1 week ago- Why the Warriors Should Move On from Jonathan Kuminga: A Data-Driven Perspective1 month ago
- Draymond Green: The Unsung Rhythm Master of the Warriors' Symphony1 month ago
- Warriors' Forward Dilemma: A Data-Driven Breakdown of 10 Potential Fits Without Trading Curry, Butler, or Green1 month ago
- 5 Players the Golden State Warriors Should Consider Moving On From This Offseason1 month ago
- Was Steph Curry's Early Contract Extension a Strategic Misstep? A Data-Driven Analysis1 month ago
- The Data Doesn't Lie: How Minnesota Let Jonathan Kuminga Feast in the Playoffs1 month ago
- 3 Trade Scenarios That Could Convince the Spurs to Part With Their No. 2 Pick (For Harper)1 month ago
- The Draymond Green Debate: How Much More Do Critics Want?3 weeks ago
- Why Brandin Podziemski is Poised for a Breakout Season: A Data-Driven Analysis3 weeks ago
