NBA Insider delivers harsh truth about Lu Dort’s future with Thunder

While Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti is dedicated to bringing back Lu Dort and his other free agent for the 2026-27 season, the harsh reality is that both sides could go their separate ways over the summer. Between Cason Wallace’s increased role in the backcourt, Ajay Mitchell’s emergence last season, and the addition of Jared McCain via the Thunder’s midseason trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, Oklahoma City is in good shape to move from Dort, the team’s longest-tenured player.

Although Presti’s recent comments at his end-of-the-season address suggested otherwise, a glance at the Thunder’s finances suggests the front office should ultimately move on from Dort this offseason, according to The Athletic’s John Hollinger.

“It seems unlikely that the Thunder can continue with Dort next season,” Hollinger said. “They have multiple players at his position who are both better and younger, the team is set to be $40 million over the projected luxury tax line, and Dort is coming off an off-year in which he was notably ineffective in the Western Conference finals.”

Dort could be moved as soon as next week’s draft night.

“The Thunder’s most likely pathway out would be to trade him for a second-round pick or two and generate a $17 million trade exception; given that Dort has a contract for $17.7 million with one year left (note that it also has an extra $1 million in unlikely incentives that count toward the apron) — nearly the same figure as his BORD$ valuation — that seems a fair proposition for the acquiring team,” Hollinger added.

“He could also be extended as part of the same trade. If the Thunder can’t make a deal, another endgame is to decline the option on Dort, which would likely see him get offers for the full non-taxpayer midlevel exception.”

In a starting role against the San Antonio Spurs throughout the Western Conference Finals, Lu Dort averaged 4.3 points on 34.3% shooting, including 20% from deep, and 3.0 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game for the Thunder.

SGA expected to ‘remind’ Thunder’s Sam Presti of Lu Dort’s value

Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander claimed he has no say in what Thunder GM Sam Presti decides to do with the roster. However, Gilgeous-Alexander will remind Presti of Dort’s value, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, per NBA Today.

“I was told, though, that Shai was playing a little bit coy there,” MacMahon said about the veteran guard’s future. “He will at least remind Sam Presti and the Thunder management just how much he values having Lu Dort as his teammate.”

Perhaps Gilgeous-Alexander can convince Presti to bring Dort back for one final season, as the Thunder will look to return to the throne as NBA champion in 2026-27.

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