Cason Wallace to Oklahoma City Thunder: National Media Reaction
Cason Wallace is a top-ten draft pick. Last night, the former Kentucky Wildcat was selected No. 10 by the Dallas Mavericks and traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. In OKC, Wallace will team up with fellow former Cats Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Olivier Sarr.
In one season at Kentucky, Wallace averaged 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 steals, earning All-SEC Freshman honors. He ranked among the SEC’s leaders in assists per game (2nd), assist-to-turnover ratio (4th), and steals per game (4th). He is the third Wildcat selected by the Mavericks, following Dirk Minniefield (1983, 2nd round, 33rd overall pick) and Jamal Mashburn (1993, 1st round, fourth overall pick), and the 35th first-round NBA Draft pick of the John Calipari Era at Kentucky.
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As the draft concluded, draft grades rolled out. A quick check of the internet suggests the pundits approve of Wallace in OKC.
Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation: A
The Thunder moved up two spots to land a perfect complementary guard in Wallace. Wallace is an elite defender with super quick and super strong hands. While he’s only 6’3, his strong lower body and incredible discipline allows him to defend bigger players. Wallace isn’t exactly a traditional point guard, but he’s a good spot-up shooter and can act as a secondary playmaker. He’s another tough defender and capable shooter for a promising Thunder core that includes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams.
Bryan Kalbrosky, For the Win: A
The Mavericks reportedly traded the draft rights to Cason Wallace to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and it was a bit surprising. Wallace is a defensive-oriented guard who can provide solid depth to the backcourt rotation for the Thunder. The organization looks to improve their odds of making a playoff run with Chet Holmgren set to make his professional debut next season, and Wallace is a good fit. I love adding a low-usage, pass-first player like Wallace who can help defend at the point of attack.
Kevin Sweeney, Sports Illustrated: B
The Thunder move up to land arguably the best non-Wembanyama defensive prospect in the draft. Wallace’s offensive game was somewhat inconsistent at Kentucky, but he was forced into difficult situations on a team with limited floor spacing. He’s outstanding at the point of attack on the defensive end though, projecting as a guy who can pick up top point and shooting guards throughout the league. Plus, Kentucky guards have often overperformed their draft position in the NBA under John Calipari.
Zack Braziller, NY Post: B
At No. 10, the Thunder get arguably the best perimeter defender in the draft in Cason Wallace of Kentucky after moving up from No. 12.
There is untapped offensive potential with Wallace, who averaged 4.3 assists and shot 34.6 percent from long range on four attempts per game as a freshman, to match his defensive prowess.
Adam Finkelstein, CBS Sports: B
The Thunder got this pick and Davis Bertans for the No. 12 pick as the Mavs looked to shed salary. I am a Cason Wallace fan, especially after he was better offensively than we expected before his injury. He showed playmaking flashes and a good shot. The thing you have to wonder is what else Sam Presti has up his sleeve because they have Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey. To trade up for a player who probably would have been available later when he doesn’t seem to fit into the current roster cleanly is interesting.
Danny Chau, The Ringer: B
The Thunder move up two spots (eating Davis Bertans’s contract) and continue building their cadre of perimeter players who are simply good at playing basketball. Wallace is a no-nonsense pick, one of the very best perimeter defenders in the draft. His compact build belies the strength and length he possesses; his instincts, combined with his long arms and lateral quickness, will allow him to credibly defend players much larger than he is on paper. He’s an efficient, if unexciting, offensive prospect, but it’s fair to wonder whether the Thunder—who have done a remarkable job developing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, and Jalen Williams—can unlock more offensive upside, as has been the case for basically every Kentucky prospect that’s cracked an NBA rotation.
Yahoo Sports: B-
Wallace is arguably the best on-ball defensive guard in this class and can comfortably guard both backcourt positions at a high level. He’s a tough guard who loves to turn the corner and get downhilil. Wallace showed he can play on and off the ball during his one year at Kentucky, and he could be the next great guard to come out of coach John Calipari’s system to hit the NBA.
Kyle Irving, The Sporting News: B-
The Thunder select Wallace, who is a reliable floor general and pesky perimeter defender. This is a curious pick, considering Oklahoma City already has two franchise cornerstone playmakers in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey. Their grade is less about Wallace as a prospect and more about the logjam of similarly skilled guards.
More National Takes on Cason Wallace to OKC
Other writers didn’t do traditional grades for each pick but had plenty to say about Wallace being traded to the Thunder.
Kevin Pelton, ESPN
I liked Wallace as a top-10 prospect on the strength of his on-ball defense and ability to generate steals. The Thunder agreed, moving up two spots by taking on Davis Bertans’ contract in order to assure they got their guy. It will be interesting to see how Wallace fits into a backcourt that already includes recent lottery picks Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams plus Lu Dort, but Thunder coach Mark Daigneault isn’t afraid to play multiple guards together.
John Hollinger, The Athletic
This was widely considered one of the big pivot points of the draft, as Dallas has been trying very hard to make a deal with this pick to supplement its current roster, and the list of elite available players drops off to another tier right here. The Mavs will deal Davis Bertans into the Thunder’s cap space once the new cap year begins in July, and the Thunder will move up two spots and grab Wallace with the 10th pick. Wallace is a good all-weather guard who can defend and shoot; he had some injury questions after hobbling through his one season at Kentucky but apparently nothing serious enough to knock him off the board. This is a great save for Dallas – the Mavs will generate a 17 million dollar trade exception — and something of an overpay by the Thunder, who might have felt Wallace wouldn’t get to 12.
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