With the MVP debate heating up, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is dominating the attention on the team right now.
The plaudits are deserving, yet they do not tell the entire story. The success of the Oklahoma City Thunder this season has been built on the entire roster.
The Thunder’s depth has been key to their stunning 54-12 record, the best in the Western Conference, with the team’s clear identity built on defense, more so than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s prolific scoring.
The on court success has been possible due to the careful construction of the Thunder roster, while amassing a haul of future picks, although GM Sam Presti is in no rush to trade them away just yet.
One analyst who has previously raised discussion about OKC using their future picks is Bill Simmons. He previously floated the Thunder using all their assets to put together a massive trade to tempt whoever lands Cooper Flagg in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Others have tipped OKC to try and trade for former star Kevin Durant, with Stephen A. Smith arguing it would be a mutually beneficial move for the Phoenix Suns.
Whenever and however the Thunder eventually decide to use their assets, Bill Simmons believes one player who will not be included as a ‘throw-in’ will be Cason Wallace.
The 2023 first round draft pick is playing a valuable role on the team, and Simmons argues he should be considered untradeable.
Speaking on his podcast following OKC’s win over the Boston Celtics, he was impressed with the 21-year-old star.
He said: “You look at the game yesterday and you go back and watch the fourth quarter, which I did this morning. The Celtics missed wide open shots, a bunch of them in the fourth quarter. Whereas OKC actually made some shots.
“Wallace made the two dagger shots of the game. Wallace was awesome and Wallace is one of those guys, like I do the trade value list. It was like, where does this guy go? Because there’s no way they’re trading him.
“What’s he worth? If somebody’s like, yeah, we’ll do this, ‘we’ll give you this awesome player. Give us back Wallace and some picks’, Presti is gonna go ‘No thanks, I know what I’m doing. I’m actually gonna keep Wallace. Thanks for your interest.’.”
Cason Wallace played in 82 games in his rookie season, but only started 13. He averaged 20.6 minutes per game.
In 2024-25 Wallace has started 37 of 57 games, at an average of 27.4 minutes per game. And he has taken his scoring from 6.8 ppg to 7.9.
While his shooting efficiency has taken a small dip from 49.1 per cent to 46 per cent, Wallace has increased both of his rebounds per game and assists per game.
He has now made 50 starts for OKC and is only 21. His four best career best points games have all come this season, led by a 22-point showing against the Grizzlies.
As Simmons points out, OKC should be looking to hang onto Wallace at all costs and continue to build for the future.
