OKC Thunder: 3 key takeaways from first preseason win
By Rylan Stiles
Lu Dort has untapped offensive potential for the OKC Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder took a chance on Dort as an undrafted free agent, inking him to a two-way pact for the 2019-20 NBA season. He quickly became an important part of the organization and one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA.
Dort was inserted into the starting five and eventually converted to a standard NBA contract before the Disney World Bubble in 2020. His offensive struggles were put on display for a national audience before a what seemed like random 30-point outburst in game seven of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets.
A year ago, Lu Dort carried that offensive moment and shot the ball well from beyond the arc, He improved his overall three-point percentage by 5 points, and even nailed corner threes at a 46-percent clip a year ago up from his 31-percent mark from the corner during his rookie campaign.
For comparison, during that playoff series against the Rockets, Dort shot 26-percent from deep. Now, in the preseason Dort is continuing his offensive success. The Arizona State product is nailing deep triples, contested 3’s, and in rhythm shots from beyond the arc. He is 10-for-16 from three-point land this preseason.
It seems safe to place the 3-and-D tag on Luguentz Dort now after a year of consistency. However, something most people forget is the fact Dort is only 22 years old. As the OKC Thunder cycle through young players left and right, guys like Dort feel like “old news” or get boxed in. Dort still has room to grow.
If the 6’4 wing who is built like a tank can figure out how to finish at the rim, his offensive upside is scary for the rest of the league. Dort is already a really good free-throw shooter, now a good three-point shooter, if he improves on his horrendous 51-percent at the rim, the sky is the limit.