Heading into Opening Night, Cason Wallace has an extra pep in his step. Not even being deep in enemy territory could rain on his parade. After all, he and the Oklahoma City Thunder agreed to a five-year, $139 million contract extension.
After a summer filled with contract negotiations, the Thunder and Wallace found a happy middle ground on the eve of the NBA contract extension deadline. Now, the 22-year-old is locked up for the remainder of OKC's title window. With the chance to grow on the offensive end, too. As he becomes a full-time starter.
All smiles at OKC's shootaround before their opener against the San Antonio Spurs, Wallace addressed his new contract extension with the Thunder that keeps him around through the 2031-32 season. He'll take
up around 14% of OKC's cap space at $27.8 million per year.
"It felt great. I’m just excited to get that deal done and be with this organization for years to come," Wallace said. "I’m excited to get back on the court."
Say what you want about Wallace's contract and if he'll ultimately be worth it — he has to be better on offense and jump his 3-point numbers — but this was a deal that the Thunder had to get done before Opening Night. Just to ensure everybody is on the same page with the end goal of a second NBA championship in three years.
In an ongoing contract negotiation process, Wallace was relieved to get something finished. Not just for peace of mind, but also to avoid a dreaded restricted free agency. It's something you can bet both parties wanted to get done just to ensure some long-term security.
"It's huge just knowing I can just relax now," Wallace said. "I was uptight a little bit during the process, but now that it's over, it's a breath of fresh air."
The Thunder have rolled out the blue-and-orange carpet for Wallace. Both in what they've said and in their actions. Sam Presti said the ultimate sign of respect to him was moving on from Lu Dort. They're going to promote him as a full-time starter. And now, they signed him to a long-term extension. The organization has done everything in its power to enable a fourth-year breakout.
"I've always been somebody to step up to the challenge," Wallace said. "It's just another challenge and I'm going to accomplish it."
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Cason Wallace addresses contract extension with OKC: 'I'm just excited'
