As MVP debate intensifies, Shy Gilgauss Alexander is now drawing consideration to his staff.
The reward is worthy, however they do not inform your entire story. The success of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder this season is constructed on your entire roster.
Thunder’s depth was key to the most effective 54-12 data within the Western Convention, the place the staff’s clear identification was constructed on protection than Shai Gegeous-Alexander’s prolific rating.
GM Sam Presti won’t commerce them but, however the courtroom’s success was made doable as they fastidiously constructed the Thunder roster, accumulating many of the future picks.
One of many analysts who beforehand raised discussions utilizing future picks on OKC is Invoice Simmons. He beforehand put collectively a large commerce to make use of all his property to drift lightning and seduce anybody touchdown Cooper Flags within the 2025 NBA Draft.
Others have leaned OKC to commerce for former star Kevin Durant, and declare Stephen A. Smith might be a mutually helpful transfer for the Phoenix Suns.
Nonetheless, at any time when the Thunder lastly decides to make use of the property, Invoice Simmons believes that one participant not included as a “throw-in” will change into Cason Wallace.
The 2023 first spherical draft decide performs a helpful function within the staff, and Simmons argues that it must be thought-about untradable.
Talking in regards to the podcast after OKC’s victory over the Boston Celtics, he was impressed by the 21-year-old star.
He states: The Celtics missed a ton of open photographs within the fourth quarter. In the meantime, OKC truly made some photographs.
“Wallace made two dagger photographs for the sport. Wallace is nice and Wallace is a type of guys, like I’ve a commerce worth listing. The place is that this man going? As a result of there is not any approach they’re buying and selling him.
“What’s he value? If anybody is, yeah, we do that, “We’ll offer you this nice participant. Please give us some picks again to Wallace and a few picks, Presty ‘I will not thanks’ I am truly going to maintain Wallace. Thanks on your curiosity. ”
Cason Wallace performed 82 video games in his rookie season, however solely began 13 instances. He averaged 20.6 minutes per sport.
In 2024-25, Wallace began 37 of his 57 video games, averaging 27.4 minutes per sport. And he scored from 6.8 ppg to 7.9.
His capturing effectivity has been getting a slight DIP from 49.1% to 46%, however Wallace has elevated each per sport rebounds and assisted every sport.
He’s at present beginning at OKC for 50 and is just 21 years previous.
As Simmons factors out, OKC ought to stick to Wallace at any price and proceed to construct for the longer term.
