The Oklahoma City Thunder knew they couldn’t keep the gang together intact, and that they would have to part ways with one of their key players in the summer.
That turned out to be defensive wing Lu Dort, whom the reigning Western Conference champions traded to the Atlanta Hawks through a three-team transaction that also included the Dallas Mavericks.
Following the trade, Thunder general manager Sam Presti talked to Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman about the thought process behind the move.
“This was a financial decision,” Presti said. “The impression I have been given is that the savings generated this summer, and from being out of the tax the last several years, will be reallocated to future teams. Along with other new well-documented revenue streams, this will allow us to make more basketball-related decisions over the next several years.”
It must be tough for Presti to let Dort go, especially since the former Arizona State Sun Devils star was among the Thunder’s most notable acquisitions under his watch.
Dort went undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft before the Thunder signed him to a two-way contract. In 2022, the Thunder inked him to a 5-year, $82.5 million deal. In the 2024-25 season, he played a big role in Oklahoma City’s NBA championship run.
Before trading Dort, the Thunder exercised his $17.7 million team option for the 2026-27 season, ensuring he would have a sizable guaranteed salary as he begins a new chapter in his career.
