The Oklahoma City Thunder lived through Kevin Durant leaving the organization because he didn’t like the roster around him, and ignoring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wanting to play with Luguentz Dort would be a mistake. SGA doesn’t desire the same say other superstars have over roster decisions, but his happiness is crucial. ESPN's Tim MacMahon made it clear that Gilgeous-Alexander will tell Sam Presti how much he wants to play with Dort. The Thunder won a championship because of the two-time MVP. They need their superstar, just like OKC did when Durant walked out the door.
Presti has difficult decisions to make this summer. OKC is projected to go way above the second apron as extensions for Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren kick in. They already have 15 players under contract and have two first-round draft picks. Moves will be made. Everyone expects the Thunder to trim their payroll. The easiest move was trading Dort, but SGA’s plea could change that decision.
Thunder fans know exactly how the Durant situation went down. The roster began to erode with the James Harden trade. KD was 27 years old and had just finished second in MVP voting. OKC lost to the Warriors in the Western Conference, and the next year, he was playing for the Dubs. Golden State won two championships with Durant, and the Thunder do not want to watch that again.
Thunder must keep Lu Dort to avoid a Kevin Durant nightmare repeat with SGA
Gilgeous-Alexander is signed through 2030, but fans know that doesn’t matter for NBA superstars. If they want out, a trade usually follows in short order. SGA loves the Thunder and has embraced being the face of the franchise. Durant did too. He spent nine years in Oklahoma City before departing in free agency.
Presti rebuilt the Thunder from the ground up after the Westbrook and Durant era crumbled. He could do it again, but OKC doesn’t want that. Everyone was thinking this was a dynasty waiting to happen after winning the title in 2025. Being dethroned by the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals was a setback, but the Thunder are still primed to be serious contenders for years to come.
They need SGA leading the charge. The two-time MVP turns 28 in July. He’s in the middle of his prime and arguably the best player on the planet. LeBron won his final championship at 35. Michael Jordan was 34. Gilgeous-Alexander has six to eight years left as the leader of a title contender. The Thunder want every one of those seasons to happen in Oklahoma City, but that means keeping him happy.
OKC can solve their cap crunch in several ways. Spotrac projects them to be $28.5 million over the second apron. The Thunder could trade Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins. Couple that with declining Kenrich Williams team option and bringing Isaiah Hartenstein’s salary down closer to $20 million in the 2026-27 season, and it would get them under the second apron with the right additions.
Things get more complicated in the summer of 2027 as SGA gets a raise, and Cason Williams’ new deal would kick in. Those are future problems.
Sam Presti and the front office should be focused on keeping Shai Gilgeous-Alexander happy to avoid another Kevin Durant nightmare. The Oklahoma City Thunder have to make Luguentz Dort a priority. That is what their superstar wants. The other issues can be sorted out later. Being in the second apron next season isn’t a massive problem, especially with OKC’s depth.
Trades will be available. It is all about finding the right time to strike. The Thunder’s priority should be SGA’s happiness. Fans have faith that Sam Presti will handle the rest.
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