Rumor: Cason Wallace a '[strong] candidate' to sign contract extension with OKC Thunder

Every second counts. Now that we're underway in the NBA preseason, only a handful of days remain until the Oklahoma City Thunder have to decide on Cason Wallace. Will they sign him to a contract extension or kick talks to next summer as a restricted free agent?

The Thunder have until Monday, Oct. 19, at 5 p.m. CT to make a decision. Following a breakout third year, they're adding even more to Wallace's plate in his important fourth season. Sam Presti has all but confirmed that he will replace Lu Dort in OKC's starting lineup. The latter was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in a cost-cutting move.

That said, the Thunder and Wallace are clearly going through an old-school back-and-forth contract negotiation. Both sides have likely talked all summer about

possible yearly figures. Most folks project a number between $25 million and $30-plus million per year. Considering how cognizant OKC has become of its payroll ballooning in the coming years, every dollar counts.

But according to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Thunder-Wallace dragged-out contract negotiations could be all for show. He believes something will eventually get done within the next dozen days. Only four 2023 first-round picks have had a contract extension signed — Victor Wembanyama, Amen Thompson, Ausar Thompson and Keyonte George.

"The strongest candidates to join that list in the coming days, league sources say," Stein wrote on his Substack. "Are No. 2 overall pick Brandon Miller (Charlotte), No. 6 Anthony Black (Orlando), No. 10 Cason Wallace (Oklahoma City) and No. 19 Brandin Podziemski (Golden State)."

If you're the Thunder, you're in a race against time. I get you might feel queasy about paying Wallace the high end of his salary projection, but it's your job to negotiate your way down to a reasonable number. Say what you want about his pedestrian offensive stats, he's proven to be one of the top perimeter defenders and is a role player who helped you win one NBA championship.

The Thunder must figure out a number that pleases both sides. And perhaps there's even room for Wallace to grow as an offensive player. He's shown flashes as a primary go-to scorer over the years. Plus, he's due for some good luck with his outside shot. Being promoted as a full-time starter, he'll get more chances to learn on the job in both departments.

You can't walk into Opening Night with Wallace's long-term future uncertain. I also don't think you can afford to play the risky restricted free agency game next summer. The best path is to figure something out now. That way, you reward him for his help over the years and eliminate a possible distraction clouding over OKC's championship ambitions.

Plus, I mean, c'mon. The whole point of building up a title contender is to keep your talent around. Figure something out with Wallace and send the right message to the locker room and fanbase. The Thunder are about to get incredibly expensive, but that's the price you pay for basketball immortality.

More of the latest Late Night NBA Intel? Even on an NFL Sunday? Had to do it.

But Sunday Best? Nope. Can't claim that. Sunday Best was that out-of-this-world Jokić fling.

NBA basketball ... great to have you back!

The new notes column is here: https://t.co/MrplOYO5gl pic.twitter.com/AqRcYrr848

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 5, 2026

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Rumor: Cason Wallace a '[strong] candidate' to sign contract extension with OKC Thunder