The Oklahoma City Thunder have had the deepest roster in basketball for quite some time now. During their contention, they've had all of a star-studded starting lineup, role-playing rotation players, and developmental youth talent. The starting unit, in particular, has remained pretty steady over recent years.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the team's back-to-back winning MVP, and Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are fellow All-Stars. Isaiah Hartenstein takes on typical big man duties, and Lu Dort has operated as the defensive specialist. However, financial concerns forced the Thunder to trade Dort in the offseason, opening up a spot in the starting lineup that is expected to go to Cason Wallace.
The defensive-minded guard is the most likely and the most logical replacement of Dort's. However, it isn't a guarantee that he will start. So, who could leapfrog Wallace to join OKC's top five?
Is Cason Wallace at risk of not starting?
Dort is one of the best defenders in the NBA. He can realistically guard one through four, and he was often tasked with neutralizing the opposing team's best player when he was with the Thunder. Luckily, the Thunder have other players who fit the description of the league's elite defenders.
Article Continues BelowHolmgren, Williams, and Gilgeous-Alexander are all top-tier defenders, which is particularly impressive because they are great on offense, too. Alex Caruso has thrived defensively against guards and bigs, and he always plays with energy and effort. Ultimately, though, Wallace is the team's new best defender. Considering he plays the same position as Dort, and even has greater offensive potential, his insertion into the starting lineup seems like it should be seamless.
Wallace will help take more ball-handling duties off Gilgeous-Alexander's shoulders than Dort ever did, and he still provides plenty of catch-and-shoot production. However, being in the starting lineup in Oklahoma City means you are, at best, the fourth offensive option.
Wallace is likely nearing a hefty payday not just because of his 3-and-D skill set, but because his offensive potential is so much greater. When injuries hit the Thunder last season, Wallace showed how much he can excel as a score-first option and primary playmaker, rather than a role-playing two guard like he'd be in the starting lineup.
There is a case to be made that letting Wallace work with the second would most maximize his skill set. Caruso or Jared McCain, meanwhile, could thrive in a scaled-down role as the team's starting shooting guard. Caruso's defensive versatility would cater greatly to the starting lineup. Mark Daigneault could use him as a defensive chess piece, regardless of whom the Thunder face. McCain, meanwhile, is a great 3-point shooter who would get tons of open looks playing alongside a bunch of All-Stars.
Regardless of who starts, Daigneault is going to utilize a deep rotation, and Thunder players all know they could have a big role one night and a very minimal one the next. Creating a dynasty and getting back into the NBA Finals is on the team's mind, but after trading not only Dort, but Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, too, the Thunder will enter the season with more question marks than they have had in recent years. All of those players have spent time at the two, so the it will be interesting to see just how the Thunder handle their shooting guard position.