Though the OKC Thunder may be headlined by the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, they are far more than just a three-man show.
From multi-faceted big men like Isaiah Hartenstein and Jaylin Williams roaming the paint to spark-plug secondary scorers such as Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe out on the wing, Oklahoma City is chock full of highly reliable and complementary role players.
Considering how often head coach Mark Daigneault rolls out 10-plus players within his regular rotation, there's a strong case to be made that this top-ranked, 64-12 squad is the deepest team currently in the association.
However, as if this depth wasn't already exciting to think about as they inch closer to postseason play, the recent surge in Cason Wallace's production should get fans even more hyped ahead of the club's hopeful 2025 title run.
Cason Wallace's recent play a positive sign for Thunder ahead of playoffs
During the early stages of the year, the guard found himself in a bit of a rough patch, as he was posting mere averages of 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists on a highly inefficient 41.2 percent shooting from the field and an even worse 29.2 percent from deep through December 31.
This directly following up his All-Rookie 2023-24 season, where he served as one of the club's most trusted long-range snipers with a 41.9 percent clip from distance, had some fans worried about a sophomore slump.
Fortunately, since the All-Star break, Wallace has seen a bounce-back in a big way.
Over a 19-game span, 11 of which came while filling in as a starter, he's gone on to serve as a crucial all-around force for the Thunder, posting 11.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.8 steals, and half a block on 54.2 percent shooting from the field and an electrifying 42.4 percent from distance.
More impressive, over his last 10 outings, the 21-year-old has turned himself into a walking bucket when on the hardwood, as he's been posting 12.1 points per game on 59.0 percent shooting from the floor and a whopping 55.6 percent shooting from distance, the latter of which is the sixth-best mark in the league throughout this stretch out of those who have attempted at least 20 threes.
Though a large chunk of his damage has been generated via the catch-and-shoot department (32.2 percent of his points generated since March 10), his scoring output has come with a combination of driving to the rim, dribble separations in the mid-range, and quality transition looks as well.
Add this second-half offensive eruption to the fact that he's well-known among his teammates, as well as by players across the association, for being one of the most gifted backcourt defenders the game currently has to offer, and it goes without saying that Cason Wallace is shaping up to be yet another invaluable piece to the Thunder rotation, especially once the playoffs roll around.