What Will Cason Wallace's Future Role Look Like?
Oklahoma City's rookie class has been phenomenal this season. Chet Holmgren was in All-Star consideration and has battled generational prospect Victor Wembanyama for the Rookie of the Year Award. But Cason Wallace has been indispensable too.
Because Holmgren was the No. 2 pick, he's gotten the majority of the hype. But Wallace has been outstanding in his own right too, and the traits he has displayed could make him a long-term role player in Oklahoma City.
Wallace is averaging 6.6 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 50.2% from the floor and 41% from 3-point range. He has been a solid 3-and-D player for his young squad and has been able to fit into his role. He is mainly a catch-and-shoot threat but has shown a willingness to take his man off the dribble and pull up late in the shot clock.
The Kentucky product has shown bursts of athleticism and quickness in attacking the defense in fast break situations. He loves to get out and run in transition and has a sneaky bounce to throw it down. He's excelling in the role he has been asked to play, but is there more to his game?
It feels like the answer is clear. Wallace is only scratching the surface of what's to come, and the fact that he can fit into what the Thunder need him to be this season speaks volumes. He has been a much better shooter than advertised and his a really high floor as a high-end rotational player because of his catch-and-shoot ability.
At Kentucky, Wallace was a creative playmaker who played more of a true point guard role. He averaged 11.7 points, 4.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds. He had the ball in his hands most of the time he was on the court and was featured as a lead guard instead of an off-ball threat.
Now, he has shown that he can do both. There's evidence of him excelling as an on-ball point guard at the highest college level and an off-ball catch-and-shoot player with the Thunder. His ceiling could be a little bit of both.
Depending on Lu Dort and Josh Giddey's status as part of the long-term core, Wallace could see a starting spot in the future. He's a connector on the floor and provides fantastic defense on and off the ball, just like Dort. He could also be the perfect sixth-man, backup point guard. He can utilize his lead guard skills from Kentucky and close games for the Thunder.
Whatever his future role ends up being, he seems like a long-term piece that will command heavy minutes. Wallace hasn't been able to showcase his full skillset yet, but it includes much more than just corner shooting. As he grows as a player, his role will expand too.
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