Editor’s note: Over the next three weeks, The Oklahoman will publish a series of report cards on each of the Thunder’s 15 main roster players. Grades will be curved relative to role and expectations. Next up in the series, Cason Wallace. 

Kentucky guard Cason Wallace was considered a plug-and-play prospect in the 2023 NBA Draft. Even at 20 years old, his defense was that elite.

Little did we know Wallace would be a plug-and-play-all-82-games guy, plus 10 playoff games in which Wallace played the fifth-most minutes for the No. 1 seed in the West.

The Thunder swapped spots with the Mavericks on draft night, with OKC ensuring it got its man in Wallace at No. 10 while the Mavericks selected Dereck Lively II at No. 12 — a win-win trade as these playoffs have confirmed.

Yet it was clear early on that the Thunder nailed its pick. And it remained clear as Wallace played in all 82 games, joining Russell Westbrook and teammate Chet Holmgren as the only Thunder rookies to do so.

“Playing the whole season was one of my goals,” Wallace said in his exit interview. “I just want to be available.”

Wallace shot 41.9% from 3-point range — second-best among rookies — while acting as Lu Dort’s double on defense.

Wallace, named second-team All Rookie, didn’t over-extend himself offensively. There were scant flashes of his playmaking chops, but Wallace mostly excelled in his low-usage role as a catch-and-shoot threat.

More than half of his field goal attempts came from behind the arc. And of those 3-point shots, half came from the corners, where Wallace shot 47.4%.

It’s only a one-season sample, but Wallace was more steady a shooter than his college numbers would have suggested. In one season at Kentucky, Wallace shot 34.6% from 3-point range.

This season, shooting from a longer distance, of course, Wallace ranked 14th among all NBA players in 3-point percentage. A few spots ahead of teammate Isaiah Joe, the Thunder’s purest shooter.

More: OKC Thunder GM Sam Presti 'missed' on Gordon Hayward trade: 'That's on me'

Wallace’s 3-point numbers, following a team-wide trend, dipped in the playoffs. He shot 9 of 28 (32.1%), including 1 of 6 in Game 6 at Dallas.

Wallace’s defense, however, carried over from the regular season.

Kyrie Irving was Wallace’s primary assignment in the Dallas series. Talk about a “Welcome to the NBA: Playoffs Edition” moment.

But Wallace wasn’t overmatched. Far from it.

In the 19 minutes Wallace defended Irving, Irving shot 8 of 23 (34.8%) with four turnovers and only one assist, according to NBA tracking data.

“Tough cover,” Wallace said in his exit interview. “Some of the stuff you see on the highlights, where people are on islands by themselves, that wasn't really my case. I was guarding him, but it was all five of us guarding him as well. We showed him a crowd the whole series.

“I appreciate my teammates for that as well, not having me out there looking like a fool.”

More: Ousmane Dieng report card: Former lottery pick is forgotten piece for OKC Thunder

Cason Wallace by the numbers

4.0: In win shares, as calculated by Basketball Reference, Wallace (4.0) had the fourth-most ever by a Thunder rookie behind Holmgren (8.9), Jalen Williams (5.6) and James Harden (4.5).

1,692: Wallace logged 1,692 minutes, ranking him seventh all time among Thunder rookies behind Westbrook, Holmgren, Williams, Theo Maledon, Harden and Josh Giddey.

22: Wallace, matching his jersey number, scored a career-high 22 points against the Grizzlies on March 10. He shot 9 of 14, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range.

More: OKC Thunder mailbag: How can you make a 57-win team even better to contend for NBA title?

Cason Wallace offseason homework

Improve as a playmaker and in attacking off the dribble.

There’s a balance Wallace can strike between excelling in his role while still expanding other parts of his game.

“Being more decisive when I have the ball in my hands,” Wallace said in his exit interview. “Not just being a shooter, being able to play inside the (3-point) line as well.”

More: Mussatto: Why Sam Presti, OKC Thunder are more focused on what it has than what it needs

Cason Wallace grade: A

As a 20-year-old rookie, Wallace was a reliable contributor on a 57-win team. Nothing about that is normal, especially for a late-lottery pick.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Cason Wallace report card: High marks for OKC Thunder rookie