After the Thunder’s recent cost-cutting reshuffle sent Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Luguentz Dort out in three separate moves, Cason Wallace looks like one of the clearest beneficiaries. Rylan Stiles of SI.com reports that the guard is expected to take on a bigger offensive load in his fourth NBA season.
Wallace is eligible for a rookie scale extension this offseason, and he already hinted at the kind of stretch that made the case for more responsibility. At his end-of-season press conference in May, he pointed to a late-February run when injuries opened up more on-ball chances in the backcourt.
“ That was a fun point in time. That was fun, having the ball and just being able to showcase my game and just do what the team needed me to do to win,” Wallace said. “ That’s what it’s all about at the end of the day is just going out there and trying to win, so I look at those clips and think about that.”
Stiles sees the appeal of Wallace growing as a creator, but he says the more realistic step forward is sharpening the jumper. The 22-year-old was a 41.9% three-point shooter as a rookie, then slipped to 35.6% in his second season and 35.1% last year.
Elsewhere in the Northwest, Jenni Carlson of The Oklahoman made the case that Dort should one day have his No. 5 jersey retired by Oklahoma City. Carlson noted that Nick Collison is the lone former Thunder player to receive that honor so far, and argued that Dort’s seven seasons with the franchise were “more impactful” than Collison’s 10.
On the Utah side, Sarah Todd of The Deseret News wrote in a mailbag that the Jazz should at least be viewed as a play-in team in 2026/27. Todd acknowledged that it’s tough to project how the roster’s new pieces will fit together - Jaren Jackson Jr. appeared in only two games after being acquired in February, and No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson is just starting his rookie year - but said Utah “had to really work to lose games” in the past and should be more competitive going forward.
Todd also addressed questions about potential star-trade pursuits and who will handle the offense in ’26/27. Her expectation is that Keyonte George will serve as the team’s primary ball-handler, though she added that head coach Will Hardy often leans on multiple players to initiate the offense.
In Other News...
Russell Westbrooks Next NBA Chapter Will Hit Thunder Fans Hard
Russell Westbrook is still sounding like a player who is not ready to close the book on his NBA run. The former Thunder guard, now in the later stage of an 18-year career, said in a recent interview that he wants to keep playing, a reminder that the leagues relentless pace has not dulled the edge of one of its most recognizable stars. He spent last season with the Sacramento Kings, continuing a career that has taken him to seven teams, but his most lasting imprint remains in Oklahoma City.
For Thunder fans, any new chapter for Westbrook is going to land with extra weight because his name is still so tightly tied to the franchises rise. He is already a future Hall-of-Famer, and the organization is expected to retire his No. 0 jersey in recognition of what he meant there. Even as his journey keeps moving from stop to stop, the emotional center of his legacy still points back to Oklahoma City, where his peak years helped define an era. [Read more 🡒]
Cason Wallace Is Becoming A Real Thunder Problem They Can't Ignore
Cason Wallace keeps giving Oklahoma City reasons to think bigger about his long-term place in the rotation. The Thunder guard has made real strides on both ends, and his improved offense during the 2025-26 playoffs only adds to the sense that he is becoming more than just a useful piece. For a team built around depth and flexibility, that kind of growth is exactly what makes a young player hard to budget for.
The complication is timing. Oklahoma City is already navigating salary-cap pressure and a wave of future money that will shape every decision it makes, and Wallaces next step could push his market value into a range the Thunder would rather avoid. With comparable young guards around the league moving toward major extensions, the front office may soon have to decide whether Wallace is a priority worth stretching for or another promising player whose cost climbs beyond what the roster can comfortably absorb. [Read more 🡒]
Cason Wallace Just Showed How Big His Thunder Role Has Become
Cason Wallace has already carved out a major defensive niche for Oklahoma City, and the conversation around his role keeps getting bigger. The Thunder perimeter defender, coming off All-Defense recognition, talked about the kinds of matchups that now define his job, a good indicator of how much trust the staff has placed in him heading into another season with more on his plate after Lu Dorts departure.
Wallaces answer also said plenty about the level of challenge the Thunder expect him to handle. The toughest assignments in this league are usually the ones that force a defender to stay disciplined possession after possession, and for Oklahoma City that means Wallace is now being measured against the best shot-makers on the floor rather than just asked to chase them. With Kyrie Irving working back from a knee injury and expected to matter plenty for Dallas, the Thunder may be leaning on Wallace in one of the leagues most demanding perimeter roles. [Read more 🡒]