On Sunday, the OKC Thunder traded guard Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks, breaking many hearts in the process. The seven-year Thunder vet was the centerpiece of a three-team deal that sent three second-round picks back to the Sooner State as a result.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be among those disappointed in the move, as he had previously made it known he would vouch for Dort to GM Sam Presti in an effort to keep him around. Now, it's clear Presti and company didn't listen, but it could actually wind up being the best thing for the superstar.
In a few short months, he might conveniently forget that his fellow countryman is gone.
Lu Dort's departure may actually remove a roadblock for Thunder star
Though he won his second-straight Most Valuable Player award and brought his team to the Western Conference Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander spent much of the season learning to deal with obtrusive double-teams and new schemes intended to stop him at all costs.
Throughout the year, SGA was forced to dish the ball out to open shooters due to the constant massacres. It's a trend that continues to grow, and his assist numbers have increased each of the last four years as a result.
The postseason took that plan of attack to another level. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 7.9 assists in 15 playoff games. He had never averaged more than 6.5 assists in a postseason before that.
Dort was among the most frequent recipients of these forced passes. However, he struggled to convert the opportunities and might arguably have been one of the reasons opposing teams were willing to leave shooters open in the first place.
In 2025-26, the veteran shot a below-average 34.4 percent from the perimeter. In the postseason, that number plummeted to 30.8 percent.
There were times when his offensive shortcomings completely overshadowed his defensive prowess, and he was forced out of the lineup on multiple occasions in their conference finals loss against the San Antonio Spurs.
Dort's departure leaves the door wide open for fellow defensive extraordinaire, Cason Wallace.
The Kentucky product boasts his own elite defensive skill set, but he is an extremely capable shooter. His performance peaked in the postseason, where he shot a blistering 48.4 percent from beyond the arc.
If he can continue that success into next season, his assumed presence in the starting lineup will create a ripple effect that SGA will certainly feel. Opposing teams will have one of two options: either suffocate Gilgeous-Alexander and witness his supporting cast tear them apart, or cover shooters like Wallace and give Shai more room to breathe.
Regardless of the route they choose, however, Gilgeous-Alexander could have an even easier time making his third-straight MVP case.
While he is no doubt lamenting the loss of his Canadian teammate, the new season will likely bring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a welcome dose of amnesia.
Dort's replacements will be more equipped to help him out on offense, which will take an immense weight off his shoulders. As a result, his numbers, both scoring and passing, could reach another level in the process.
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