The OKC Thunder may have just stumbled upon the perfect business partner.
On Tuesday morning, it was reported that future Hall-of-Famer LeBron James was officially moving on from Los Angeles and would explore other destinations. His departure puts the Lakers franchise in a precarious position, as the team now needs to find some other way to build around stars Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Because of this desperation, the Thunder may have the perfect move sitting directly in front of them.
As early as mid-June, the Lakers were rumored to have interest in 3-and-D wing Lu Dort. Though the Thunder just picked up his team option for the 2026-27 season, the move does not rule out the possibility of a trade. The team is still trying to get under the second apron, and Dort commands a $17.2 million salary. In other words, something has to give.
Thunder have exactly what the Lakers need
Now, it could be the perfect time to check back in on the Lakers' interest in the guard while they are at their most vulnerable. Doncic remains at the center of the franchise's plans, and, with Reaves' new contract, it's now up to general manager Rob Pelinka to field a contending team around the two scorers.
It's clear that the Thunder have a surplus of what Los Angeles lacks. Neither Doncic nor Reaves is considered a competent defender by any means, which makes it all the more necessary to surround them with elite two-way players.
Dort fits that bill to perfection. For the past seven years, the veteran has bodied up countless opposing scorers and has built up an impressive resume as a result. He serves as a physical presence on the perimeter that few other teams possess.
The Lakers' dire need for defense, combined with the departure of one of their brightest stars, leads to one obvious advantage for OKC: leverage. The Thunder do not need to trade Dort. They could find other ways to get under the second apron. But Los Angeles needs to acquire more defensive talent, and they would surely be willing to overpay to get it.
It wouldn't be surprising to see general manager Sam Presti pick up the phone to revisit a potential move, whether it be Dort or another perimeter defender on the Thunder roster. One thing is certain, though. LeBron's decision to skip town makes the Lakers and Thunder near-perfect trade partners.
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