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Falling painfully close to their back-to-back ambitions, the Oklahoma City Thunder return to square one with the rest of the league.
Relinquished from the NBA throne, that means they join 28 other teams who are playing catch-up to the New York Knicks for the next year.
The first step to see if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can add another ring to his all-time resume? What the Thunder do this upcoming summer.
For the first time in a couple of offseason cycles, they're about to go through some roster changes around the complementary pieces.
A handful of players will see their long-term future decided.
One of those is Cason Wallace.
Fresh off a breakout year where he earned an All-Defense nod, he's eligible for a contract extension.
He has one year, $7.4 million left on his rookie-scale deal.
The Thunder could lock him up for the long-term future this summer.
Of course, easier said than done.
Expect an old-school negotiation process from both sides.
The Thunder will point to Wallace's declining 3-point shooting numbers over the years.
Meanwhile, the latter will point to his accolades and playoff numbers along with saying the 22-year-old's career trajectory arrow is pointing up.
Either way, it sounds like the Thunder and Wallace will eventually come to terms on some sorta deal.
At least that's what the tea leaves suggest.
But if things go sideways, NBA teams have already made calls to OKC to test its interest in a potential polarizing trade, per HoopsHype's Michael Scotto.
"Oklahoma City can also extend Wallace, an All-Defensive Team selection last season.
Recent comparable guards whove signed contract extensions include Dyson Daniels andChristian Braun, who both signed for $25 million per season, and Jalen Suggs, who signed for $30 million annually," Scotto wrote.
"Should Wallace enter restricted free agency next year, hed be a highly coveted player.
Various teams have called the Thunder through Wallaces tenure to gauge what it would take to pry him from the franchise." I think the Thunder are at a fork in the road with Wallace's future.
If they're serious about contending, they figure out a way to sign a long-term deal.
He's just too talented to let go.
The defense is one-for-one and he's shown enough flashes on the other end to bank on continued development.
You're amid a championship window.
Wallace helps you out with that.
It costs money to contend in the NBA nowadays.
The Thunder were smart and lucky to get a few years of a relatively inexpensive roster.
Now, it's time for OKC to pony up for shots at more Larry O'Brien trophies.
That's kinda the whole point of owning an NBA franchise.
Reporting on Giannis Antetokounmpo trade talks, Jaylen Brown, Tyler Herro, Kawhi Leonard, trade talks for the Pistons, Nets, Timberwolves, Raptors, and Nuggets.
Plus, updates on free agents and extension candidates for the Suns, Thunder, Magic, and Jazz.
https://t.co/76AU2Zjbz7 Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 21, 2026 This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Rumor: NBA teams eyeing OKC to see if they can trade for Cason Wallace.