The Oklahoma City Thunder won't have long to dwell on their playoff defeat to the San Antonio Spurs. As soon as the NBA Finals ends, their work for the offseason will begin.
It will start with the NBA Draft, in which the Thunder have two first-round selections to work with. While it's unlikely they hold on to both of their picks, this draft class is deep enough that it's not out of the realm of possibility. But beyond that, the extensions for Chet Holmgren and Jalen WIlliams will necessitate some salary-shedding.
Luguentz Dort, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Kenrich Williams each have club options this offseason. Each of these three players is in some degree of peril as Oklahoma City attempts to navigate its financial pressures. This is a team that values continuity and chemistry, and each of these decisions will carry their own difficulties.
But the emergence of Cason Wallace as a star defender and a promising offensive contributor could cement the departure of Dort.
Cason Wallace is clearly Dort's successor, although the realities of the Thunder's situation are more complicated than that
For seven seasons now, Dort has been an integral part of the Thunder's roster, providing top-tier on-ball defense and, for stretches, providing excellent perimeter shooting on the other end of the court. But 2025-26 was a season of struggle for the veteran.
Across 69 games, Dort averaged just 8.3 points on 38.5% shooting from the field. In the playoffs, his offensive decline only worsened. Across 14 postseason appearances, Dort averaged just 5.6 points and shot 30.6% from the field.
Wallace, meanwhile, took strides toward becoming one of the league's top perimeter defenders this season. He was near the top of the league in deflections, and he was consistently disruptive as an on-ball defender. But his offensive advancements were also impressive. He averaged 8.6 points and shot 48.4% from 3-point range in the playoffs.
Purely as a 3-and-D archetype, there's room to argue Wallace has already surpassed Dort as a potential future starter for Oklahoma City.
Of course, the reality is more complicated than that. Wallace will be extension-eligible this offseason, and he'll likely command a hefty contract as he enters his fourth season. Dort, for his part, has been with the Thunder since their rebuilding days. His departure would have a major effect on the chemistry of the team.
But purely from a business perspective, the solution is clear. Wallace is emerging as a star defender and a solid offensive contributor, and it seems like he wants a bigger role moving forward. Dort and his $18 million team option are, ultimately, expendable.
If the Thunder view Wallace as the future, he makes the solution to their emerging Dort problem clear.
Add us as a preferred source on Google