The Oklahoma City Thunder have to replace Luguentz Dort in the starting five, and Cason Wallace should have the early edge in what looks like a three-way training camp battle for the spot. Wallace is eager to play a larger role and offers the best combination of shooting and defense. Fans know OKC needs the 22-year-old to sign an extension and get him to buy into his role. If he does that, Wallace could be even better than Dort in this spot.
The Thunder didn’t want to lose Dort. They traded him to dodge the second apron and have more future financial flexibility. Their roster will only get more expensive. OKC is projected to be over the second apron in the 2027-28 season when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s new deal kicks in, and that is without extending Wallace. Dort was a fantastic story and became an elite 3-and-D wing. It was sad to see him go, but the Thunder can’t keep everyone.
Oklahoma City will have a training camp battle between Ajay Mitchell, Jared McCain, and Wallace for the starting role in the backcourt next to SGA. Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein will round out the starting five when healthy. The Thunder are loaded with offensive firepower. They need someone to guard at the point of attack and sink open looks, which gives Cason the clear edge.
Cason Wallace is the early leader to replace Lu Dort in the Thunder’s starting 5
Wallace is not the perfect replacement for Dort. The 6’3 guard is a better shooter, but he can’t scale up the lineup defensively as Dort did. OKC can get more creative offensively with Wallace. He is a better ball-handler, playmaker, and creator than Dort. Wallace will force the defense into even more difficult decisions.
Mitchell broke out in his second NBA season and looks like a potential star. The 24-year-old is eager to play more, but Wallace is a better defender. Mitchell is best as the sixth man. It will give him significantly more time on the ball and let him operate more as a scorer. SGA and J-Dub will handle that in the starting five. Mitchell’s offense-first game makes most sense coming off the bench.
McCain is an elite shooter, but the 6’3 guard doesn’t offer enough defensively to start. He will be flanking Mitchell in the second unit. McCain made an immediate impact in Oklahoma City and provides some needed depth. Head coach Mark Daigneault will give McCain a shot to earn this role, but his defense will prevent him from winning it.
Wallace was second-team All-Defense last season and finished seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting, despite playing just 26.6 minutes per game. He will be even better in 30-plus every night. Fans know he is tenacious and has shown flashes whenever his opportunities expand.
Wallace should be the starter and closer for the Thunder. He has earned it, and the other two players make more sense in the second unit where more offensive opportunities will be available. Coach Daigneault will accentuate the strengths of every player, which means starting Cason Wallace.
The Oklahoma City Thunder should let this be a training camp battle for the fifth starting spot. Cason Wallace should have the early edge, but coach Daigneault should have an open mind. If Mitchell or McCain shows they’ve reached a new level, things have changed.
Fans should be watching closely. A change in the starting five is coming, and someone must grab the spot during training camp. Wallace has the edge, but fans have seen lots of come-from-behind wins in the past.
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