3 unsung heroes who helped the OKC Thunder claim historic No. 1 seed

Cason Wallace

Cason Wallace personified the type of two-way tenacity any championship team would love to have within their rotation. 

A 20-year-old rookie and the 10th pick of the 2023 NBA draft, the two-guard averaged 6.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in all 82 games this season, making him and teammate Chet Holmgren the only rookies this season to play in all possible contests.

He was on the floor for 20 minutes per night and was as consistent as any budding superstar in the league.

Wallace was also hot from deep throughout the season for the Thunder, shooting a staggering 41.9 percent from beyond the arc, the 14th best in the league percentage-wise, and the number one among rookies.

His defense was a massive positive for them as well, as he found himself defending some of the league’s best perimeter players on a nightly basis and registered 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks as a rookie. 

Despite his age and inexperience, Wallace’s value on the court has been incredible for the Thunder. On a team full of two-way stars, Wallace sometimes takes the throne as the best defensive guy on the roster, while providing the spacing this offense needs to thrive. 

Though most overlook him as just another piece, Wallace proved in his first season, no less, that he is someone to keep for the Thunder.