If Kenrich Williams' latest prediction turns out to be right, then the Oklahoma City Thunder better hurry up and get something done by the end of the weekend. The 31-year-old went out of his way to compliment one of their sure-fire starters just a few days ahead of Opening Night.
In a roster filled with breakout candidates, Williams is penciling in Cason Wallace as the biggest one for the 2026-27 regular season. It would be quite the timely Year 4 jump, too. Especially if he enters the year without a contract extension from the Thunder.
"Out of everybody, I think Caso is going to be the one to make the biggest jump this year. I'm calling it right now," Williams said. "He's had a great training camp. He's gotten better, stronger and he's always been one of those guys you can count on."
The Thunder are hoping for the same. Heck, one of the main reasons why they felt comfortable moving on from longtime starter Lu Dort is because of Wallace. The 22-year-old is ready to add more to his plate. Through three years, he's started about half of his career games. Now, though, nothing is in his way of that number being at 100%. OKC has rolled out the blue-and-orange carpet for him to have an offensive jump.
Since he arrived in OKC, Wallace has helped the Thunder with several deep NBA playoff runs. They have one NBA championship together. With the hopes to add another this upcoming campaign. But for that to materialize, they're banking a lot on internal development to make up for the quarter-sized rotation minutes lost over the summer due to financial constraints.
Regardless of what happens by Monday's NBA contract extension deadline, both parties would benefit from a huge fourth-year jump on offense. Wallace has yet to average double-digit points in his career. His 3-point shot has slowly eroded over time. If he can turn both of those things around for the better, then everybody will go home happy.
Including Williams — who's grown a knack over the years at being a sharp NBA scout on the side. I mean, saying Jalen Williams is going to be an NBA All-Star during his first training camp was quite the call.
"Even with his age. He's going to be really good this year. He's going to help us out a lot this year," Williams said. "Especially having more responsibility."
Kenrich Williams on Cason Wallace: “Out of everybody, I think Caso is going to be the one to make the biggest jump this year. I'm calling it right now.” pic.twitter.com/tMzJg7fgFd
— Clemente Almanza (@CAlmanza1007) October 17, 2026
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: This 1 OKC Thunder teammate believes Cason Wallace will have Year 4 'jump'