Oklahoma City Thunder All-Defensive guard Cason Wallace has agreed to a five-year, $139 million rookie-scale contract extension, as reported by ESPN's Shams Charania through agents Jeff Schwartz, Max Lipsett, and Marcus Monk of Excel Sports Management. Wallace, the No. 10 pick in the 2023 draft, earned second-team All-Defensive honors last season and averaged career highs of 8.6 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game, leading the NBA in total steals with 150. His development and potential influenced the Thunder's decision to trade longtime starting wing Luguentz Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in a cost-cutting move this summer.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti praised Wallace, stating that trading Dort was a sign of respect and belief in Wallace's ability to fill a major role on the team. With the extension, 13 of the Thunder's 14 rostered players are now under contract for the 2027-28 season. The team is projected to be around $26 million over the second apron that season, potentially facing a tax bill exceeding $200 million, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Wallace has averaged 7.9 points, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals in 227 career games, including 114 starts, and has appeared in all 48 of the Thunder's playoff games during his tenure.
Source: ESPN NBA · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing