How Cason Wallace Can Be More Assertive in Final Three Preseason Games

Oklahoma City’s 2023 lottery pick has done a little bit of everything during the first two exhibition matches, but he could be more aggressive offensively.

When everyone talks about the Thunder’s young core, it’s usually Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, and Josh Giddey mentioned. Some people throw in Ousmane Dieng after his summer league flashes, and others add Jaylin Williams after racking up surprising starts last season. Everyone seems to forget about Cason Wallace, though, who was the Thunder’s latest lottery selection this summer, and someone Oklahoma City management traded up to get.

Some Thunder fans seemed puzzled that Oklahoma City drafted another guard, but one look at Wallace’s defensive and motor and those questions are put to rest. It makes perfect sense why the Thunder fell in love with his abilities, and Oklahoma City will never draft players based on need — it’s always best player available on Sam Presti’s draft board.

Wallace is an extremely smart basketball player and uses his instincts to make plays on defense. He doesn’t make many mistakes, which makes it easy for him to fit in with the Thunder’s rapidly improving lineup. He can fit in anywhere on the floor and he’s only going to get better playing with the talented Thunder core.

He got the starting nod in the first preseason game with Gilgeous-Alexander out, but only recorded two points in 25 minutes. Wallace was a plus-15, though, adding five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Oklahoma City was much better when he was on the floor. In the second game, he stuffed the stat sheet again with nine points, four assists and three rebounds, only converting on two field goals — both 3-pointers.

“He fits in really well with us, he doesn’t force anything,” Jalen Williams said after the first preseason game. “Played terrific defense tonight. He’ll be a big part of our thing. It was cool to see him come out for the starting lineups, just cause I was in that position last year. That was a pretty cool and out-of-body experience for him. Excited for what he brings to the team and he fits will with us.”

Wallace has already shown how his role will look on the Thunder — defense, motor, and stuffing the stat sheet. He’s a seamless fit in any lineup because of his unselfish nature on the court. Over the next three preseason games, though, he should experiment and test his offensive limits to gain confidence heading into the season.

He’s been a surprisingly solid 3-point shooter so far, which was one of his knocks coming into the NBA. Wallace should use the court time over the next few weeks to attack the rim and find confidence in his finishing, as well as test out the midrange jumper. Gilgeous-Alexander was working with him after practice on midrange shots, and Wallace could get real game experience during the preseason.

His future is bright, and he’s on the perfect team to grow. It’s only a matter of time before he starts making a big impact in the regular season.

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