A Laker is back on basketball’s biggest stage, and Magic Johnson made sure the world knew it. After the Thunder thumped the Timberwolves 124-94 in Game 5 to clinch a 4-1 series win and a trip to the NBA Finals, Alex Caruso’s name was trending—again.

Although the Lakers bowed out early with a playoff loss to those same Timberwolves, the Magic Man didn’t miss the moment. “Once a Laker, always a Laker,” he reminded the world, shining the spotlight on a familiar face now thriving elsewhere.

“Congratulations former Laker and NBA champion Alex Caruso who now plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder and is headed to the NBA Finals!” Magic posted on X.
But for many Lakers fans, it stung more than it inspired.

Caruso was once their heart-and-hustle guy—undrafted in 2016, climbing through the G-League, and helping the Lakers win the 2020 championship. His defense and grit were undeniable. Then, in 2021, the Lakers let him walk over a marginal contract difference.

And well, ever since being traded to OKC in June 2024, Caruso has flourished under coach Mark Daigneault, his former G-League mentor. In the closeout game, he had 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, and a +13 plus-minus, all in under 24 minutes.

His impact? Immense. His price tag? Modest.

Now he’s leading a young Thunder squad to the Finals, earning All-Defensive Team honors along the way. Meanwhile, fans are looking back at Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson, asking: why didn’t we keep him?

The answer isn’t on X. It’s in Caruso’s game—and the opportunity the Lakers let slip through their fingers.

But the fans they are expressing their displeasure.

Fans React to Magic Johnson’s Tweet Congratulating Alex Caruso on Making the NBA Finals

One fan said, “If only you were there to stop Jeanie from letting him go!”

Sadly, Magic Johnson wasn’t. He had stepped down as Lakers President of Basketball Operations in April 2019 — two years before Caruso hit free agency. So, actively intervening to keep Alex Caruso in 2021 just wasn’t in his hands.

Another fan said, “He’s taking a shot at Jeanie Buss.”

No, he’s not. Magic’s criticism has always been about the decision itself, not aimed at any person.

Then someone tagged Grok AI and asked, “Why didn’t the Lakers re-sign Alex Caruso when they had the chance? @grok”

Here’s the deal: Caruso was ready to take less money to stay. The Bulls offered him four years, $37 million. He asked the Lakers to match it. They said no. Then Caruso offered a compromise — two years, $20 million. Again, the Lakers refused, sticking to three years, $21 million. The big reason? Luxury tax worries. Keeping Caruso at that price would have hurt their cap situation big time.

One fan yelled, “YOU LET HIM WALK!”

Magic publicly slammed that decision. In 2022, he said, “We should have kept Caruso and KCP. Those two locked down on defense. I told Stephen A., ‘They can’t let Caruso go.’ But they did. He was unselfish, top 10 in steals and deflections. That’s the kind of player that turns a team around.”

Another fan cried, “YOU CHOSE THT OVER HIM 😭😭”

Yep, the Lakers prioritized Talen Horton-Tucker — a younger player with big potential, signed for three years, $31 million. But ironically, the Lakers traded THT to the Jazz in 2022 for Patrick Beverley, who then got traded again in 2023.

Despite his ups and downs, THT showed flashes — like his career-high 41 points in March 2023 — but many still believe letting Caruso go was a huge mistake.

One fan said, Not paying Caruso is a big mistake by Rob Pelinka and @JeanieBuss  !! Caruso is defending in an all elite level and is guarding superstars of opponents. Big mistake by lakers to let go caruso #Lakeshow“

And they’re not wrong. In the 2023-24 season, Alex Caruso earned a spot on the NBA All-Defensive Second Team and even snagged the Hustle Award. Then, after getting traded to the Thunder in 2024, he signed a massive four-year, $81 million extension. Now, he’s helping the Oklahoma City all the way to the NBA Finals.

Magic Johnson’s words say it all — once a Laker, always a Laker. And right now, Caruso’s proving just how big of a loss he was for LA.