Thunder trade Lu Dort in three-team deal

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Oklahoma City Thunder continued reshaping their supporting cast by trading defensive guard Luguentz Dort in a three-team deal involving the Atlanta Hawks and the Dallas Mavericks on July 20, 2026.

Dort found a new home with the Atlanta Hawks alongside former Dallas guard Ryan Nembhard. Oklahoma City will receive second-round picks in 2027, 2031, and 2032 from the two franchises, while the Mavericks will land former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher and a protected 2027 second-round pick to complete the deal.

Before trading Dort, the Thunder had already signaled a major backcourt reshuffle with the departures of Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins earlier this offseason.

With Dort, Joe, and Wiggins no longer in Oklahoma City, the franchise secured more draft capital and increased its financial flexibility as it seeks to reclaim the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

After going undrafted in the 2019 NBA draft, Dort signed a two-way contract with the Thunder and emerged as one of the class’s hidden gems.

The Canadian guard worked his way to a standard NBA contract before signing a five-year, USD 87.5 million deal in 2022 and becoming a key part of coach Mark Daigneault’s rotation.

Once considered an offensive liability, Dort gradually improved his 3-point shooting, increasing his percentage from 29.7% as a rookie to 41.2% during the 2024–25 season.

During the Thunder’s 2025 championship run, Dort’s consistent two-way play helped the team win the Western Conference and defeat the Indiana Pacers in a grueling seven-game NBA Finals series.

“This was a financial decision,” Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti said after the trade.

“Along with other new, well-documented revenue streams, this will allow us to make more basketball-related decisions over the next several years. We have a team that is capable of contention. And as I understand it, the decisions this summer have positioned us financially to maintain a team of this caliber.”