According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Oklahoma City Thunder have signed Cason Wallace to a five-year, $139 million rookie contract extension. Now, they won’t have to deal with Wallace entering restricted free agency next summer, which could have put the Thunder in a tough spot. This is a great deal for both sides.
For Wallace, this locks up a ridiculous amount of money. Wallace was always set to be a huge part of the Thunder’s plans this year and beyond, but this cements it. He’s being paid like a top player on the team because he is a top player on the team. And for OKC, now they have a clearer picture of what the top of their roster looks like.
Wallace is part of their future, just like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren will be for the foreseeable future.
Restricted free agency is a dangerous place. Just look at what happened with Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons this summer. Or with Peyton Watson and the Denver Nuggets.
The Thunder needed to get something done before the start of the season. It was in the best interest of both the team and Wallace, and now, the deal is finally in place.
Wallace is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. And at points last season, he proved (in flashes) that he has the potential to be much more than he’s been on the offensive end of the court.
His new contract is worth $27.8 million in average annual value. That’s an expensive deal, but it’s about the going rate for the best role players in the league.
Wallace is only 22 years old. He is already one of the better role players in the league. And moving forward, he should have a chance to become even more than that for the Thunder.
Obviously, this contract is going to force the Thunder into some tough second-apron-related decisions as soon as next offseason, but keeping Wallace on board was always going to be the right move.
Plus, now Wallace won’t have the looming worry of impending contract negotiations hanging over his head all season. He already got paid. Now, he can just focus on the basketball.
Keeping Wallace was always going to be a top priority for the Thunder. They got the deal done at a perfect time. This is great for everyone involved. The Wallace contract is excellent work.
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