Cason Wallace is putting forth either near or official career-best efforts virtually all across the board in 2025-26, which, as a result, has served as a major boon for this league-best OKC Thunder team.
However, though his play may be of great value to the ball club in the now, it could actually lead to some hardships in the not-too-distant future. In fact, there's an argument to be made that his tremendous level of production may lead to his departure from the Sooner State in due time.
Cason Wallace pricing himself off Thunder during contract year
Now in his third year in the association, Wallace will be eligible to enter into rookie-extension negotiations this coming offseason.
As is generally the case with players playing through contract years, the aim is to put their best foot forward in hopes of it translating into a more lucrative payday come the start of discussions.
With his averages of 8.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.2 steals on 36.0 percent shooting from deep, as well as a defensive rating of 102.4 that ranks eighth in the entire league (minimum 15 games played), he's certainly earned a substantial amount of leverage.
Of course, how much leverage is something that still needs to be determined -- we're still roughly seven months away from when contracts can even be signed.
However, ESPN's Tim Bontemps believes Wallace could be looking at a deal akin to the ones Atlanta's Dyson Daniels and Denver's Christian Braun signed this past summer, both of which fell into the $100-plus million range.
Considering the Thunder are already projected to be around $24 million over the second apron next season, their aim should be to try and cut costs to dip under the dreaded tax threshold, not necessarily to add another nine-figure deal to their books.
As things currently stand, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren are truly the only mainstay players for this franchise over the next several years to come. Because of the new CBA, Sam Presti and company will need to find ways to cut corners in any way possible to accommodate the trio's collective $800 million in earnings heading their way.
Already, it was believed that rash decisions would need to be made for guys like Lu Dort and Ajay Mitchell because of this. Now, considering the season he's currently having and the financial implications his play holds, add Wallace to this list as well.