Lu Dort won the 2021-22 exit interview award voted on by the committee of one (me, note: not a real award) for all the content he produced for those of us in the media during his exit interview portion following the 2021-22 NBA regular season for the Oklahoma City Thunder. On top of his pending contract negotiations, as the defensive star becomes contract extension eligible this offseason, Dort gave the media even more quotes to chew on.
It is not a shock to anyone that the 2021-22 Thunder squad had no goal of reaching the NBA postseason as they embarked on their second year of this rebuild, with the goal being to bottom out and increase their 2022 NBA Draft lottery odds. Still, though, the Thunder were not the worst team in the league, they finished with the fourth-worst record in the league and hope the ping pong balls will bounce their way in less than a month. If they get that lottery luck, which they did not last year, things might be changing around Bricktown.
Lu Dort is eyeing the postseason for the 2022-23 Oklahoma City Thunder, how realistic is that? What would the offseason have to look like for the Thunder to reach the NBA Playoffs?
When asked about next season, which is one filled with uncertainty for Dort, barring a contract extension this summer he will be in a contract year in line to get paid handsomely by a contender in 2023 or re-up with the Thunder, the Arizona State product said the goal is “for sure the playoffs” for the OKC Thunder next season.
While a lot of Oklahoma City Thunder fans ran with this quote, combined with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander saying he is excited about the future of the team for reasons he can not get into right now, many hoped a blockbuster move would be in store this offseason. Sam Presti did a good job tempering expectations when he met with the media saying “we are not in a race against time” which many interpreted as no franchise-altering move (via trade, or signing) would happen this offseason.
Now, “what else is a professional athlete supposed to say?” Is probably what you have been screaming this entire time since the interview took place, but Josh Giddey (noted professional athlete) took a different approach during his media session reaffirming to the media that the team can show improvement without making the playoffs, and the goal is not the playoffs but to simply improve.
What would it take for the OKC Thunder to reach Lu Dort’s goal of the postseason? Well, if you believe Presti’s sentiment that no big move is on the horizon for the team, it is simple. The only way this team reaches the postseason is via NBA Lottery Luck in 23 days, ten hours, 34 minutes, and 30 seconds. Not only getting the luck of a top-three pick but having that selection be a generational talent and highly impactful rookie that translates to winning.
While it is not unheard of, it is extremely difficult. Though, you can point to Evan Mobley who helped the Cavs earn a play-in bid and Scottie Barnes who helped the Raptors land a top-six seed out East just this past season.
While you have to admire Lu Dort’s confidence in his teammates and Sam Presti in constructing a roster, it is more likely the team gets back to the postseason in 2023-24 or 2024-25 than next season.