Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso got his big break during the 2018-19 season, breaking into the rotation, now boasting a chance to get some playing time in a bolstered roster headlined by LeBron James and newcomer Anthony Davis.

“I’ve been assured an opportunity to get minutes, and I think I complement this team very well, but obviously, nothing is given to you,” Caruso told Richard Croome of The Eagle. “It will be a fun test for me to see how I adjust to playing 82 games. I think I will still be going off of adrenaline.”

The Texas A&M product knows he benefitted from circumstance, as the Lakers were forced to thrust him into a role after Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram went down to injury.

“Yes, 100 percent, if Lonzo [Ball] and [Brandon] Ingram weren’t injured a couple of things wouldn’t have gone my way,” the guard admitted. “If Luke Walton was not my coach, [I might not have got the opportunity]. I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason.”

Caruso has developed into a cult icon in LA, an underdog story many can get behind after showing some real potential as a scorer and as a floor general. After going undrafted in 2016, Caruso averaged 9.2 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.7 rebounds for the Lakers in 25 games last season, contributions that have carved him a spot on the roster and likely a role to come.

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Yet the 6-foot-5 guard knows what's at stake this season is more than some good numbers, but the expectation of winning a title.

“With LeBron James and Anthony Davis, you are going to have a good shot to win,” Caruso said. “If you’re not rebuilding, the goal is to win a championship.”