Alex Caruso Receives Qualifying Offer from LA

The Lakers extended a qualifying offer to Alex Caruso today, which is fantastic news. But what does it mean, exactly?

Long version: He’s now a restricted free agent, which guarantees at least the veteran minimum (around $1.6 mil/year) based on his NBA experience. Other teams are welcome to make him a better offer, but the Lakers have the right to match that offer to keep him.

Short version: Our favorite former ballboy is about to get paid.

Caruso became the internet’s undisputed memelord for a day when LeBron passed Michael Jordan, and he did an excellent job capitalizing on that attention with a stellar final month of the NBA season. It all culminated in a fantastic performance against the crosstown rival Clippers, when Alex was indisputably the best player on the floor in a huge win over a team very much fighting for their playoff lives.

32 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists on 5-7 three point shooting... and he effectively closed the show by himself

Congrats to Alex on the great news, and best of luck this season.