Cason Wallace Makes Admission on Future as Thunder Face Decision
The Oklahoma City Thunder were favored to repeat as champions this year after topping the NBA with a 64-18 regular-season record, but the San Antonio Spurs ended that possibility on Saturday night by beating them 111-103 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. Now, the Thunder must decide who it will retain this offseason.
Guard Cason Wallace is a name to watch on that front. The 22-year-old averaged 8.6 points on 43.2% shooting (35.1% 3-point) with 3.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists over 26.6 minutes in 77 games (58 starts) in the regular season before averaging 8.6 points on 47.9% shooting (48.4% 3-point) with 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.1 steals over 24.9 minutes in 15 games (two starts) in the playoffs. He has a $7.2 million club option for next year and is extension-eligible this offseason
Wallace was asked about being extension-eligible during Sunday's exit interview, via USA Today's Clemente Almanza.
"Love the Thunder, but I'm more focused on getting better," he admitted.
Cason Wallace on being extension eligible: "Love the Thunder but I'm more focused on getting better." pic.twitter.com/GQTN6Aso3V
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) May 31, 2026
Thunder Must Decide Which Role Players to Keep
Wallace is part of one of the NBA's deepest rosters, as Lu Dort (8.3 points per game), Ajay Mitchell (13.6 PPG), Jared McCain (10.4 PPG), Isaiah Joe (11.1 PPG), Nikola Topic (5.2 PPG) and Aaron Wiggins (9.4 PPG) all got playing time as guards for Oklahoma City this season. That's in addition to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.1 PPG), who won NBA MVP honors for the second straight year.
Although the Thunder's depth is one of the main reasons for their success, it won't be easy to maintain all those players moving forward due to the salary cap. Star big man Chet Holmgren's five-year, $239.25 million rookie maximum extension kicks in this offseason, which more than quadruples his previous average salary, per Spotrac. Plus, Gilgeous-Alexander's four-year, $271.65 million extension kicks in next offseason and forward Jalen Williams' five-year, $239.25 million extension starts this offseason.
Since Oklahoma City's star trio is about to get more expensive, it will have to choose which role players to invest in long-term. On the bright side, it doesn't have to re-sign Wallace right away, as he'll hit restricted free agency next offseason if it picks up his team option this summer. Restricted free agency allows teams the right of first refusal, which lets them keep the player by matching another team's offer sheet.
The Thunder acquired Wallace from the Dallas Mavericks in 2023 after the latter team drafted him No. 10 overall. The Texas native earned All-Defensive Second Team honors this year.
Related: SGA Explains Personal 'Failure' After Thunder Fall Short of NBA Finals
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This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 5:46 PM.