Thunder open Cason Wallace extension talks near $25 million a year, Marc Stein reports

The Oklahoma City Thunder have begun negotiating a contract extension with guard Cason Wallace, and the opening range sits at roughly $25 million per season, Marc Stein reported in his newsletter The Stein Line. Neither the club nor Wallace’s representatives have commented on the numbers, and no agreement is in place.

The timing is tight. Players finishing rookie-scale contracts must sign extensions by Monday, October 19, the day before the regular season opens. If the two sides miss that date, Wallace will play out the last year of his first deal and enter restricted free agency in the summer of 2027, when Oklahoma City could still match any offer sheet.

How the comparisons line up

According to Stein, the early talks have used two recent guard deals as reference points: the four-year, $100 million extension Dyson Daniels signed with the Atlanta Hawks, and the contract Christian Braun received from Denver. Stein added that Wallace’s side may push for something nearer the five-year, $158 million agreement Keyonte George reached with Utah.

The market could also work in Wallace’s favor. Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints has reported that at least two other teams would be willing to pay him more than $30 million a year if he reaches restricted free agency. That claim has not been confirmed by any club.

Why Oklahoma City is ready to pay

Oklahoma City reshaped their guard depth this offseason to manage a payroll that was heading deep into luxury-tax territory. Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins were all moved in trades, which leaves Wallace in line for a larger role, possibly in the starting lineup next to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His value has always started on defense, where his length and quick hands make him one of the league’s better point-of-attack stoppers.

A Thunder executive struck a hopeful tone over the summer in comments to Keith Smith of Spotrac: “We’re hopeful of getting a deal done that makes sense for both sides.” A new deal would not kick in until 2027-28, leaving this season’s payroll untouched, but it would shape how the front office handles its tax bill in the seasons that follow.

What comes next

Oklahoma City visits Atlanta in a preseason game on Monday, October 12, at 7:00 p.m. ET; follow it in the Game Center. The Thunder then host Indiana on Tuesday, October 13 (Game Center), and open the regular season at San Antonio on Tuesday, October 20 (Game Center).