The Oklahoma City Thunder have to keep Luguentz Dort after Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s desire to play with the wing became known. The franchise is looking to trim payroll and make room on their roster for a lottery pick. Dort’s $17.7 million player option seems easy to accept and trade to solve those issues, but SGA is the face of the franchise.
NBA teams go to great lengths to keep star players happy, and the Thunder have seen multiple superstars leave Oklahoma City for opportunities elsewhere. Gilgeous-Alexander is locked in through 2030, but the Thunder do not want to be at odds with the reigning two-time MVP. Despite all the injuries this season, SGA got OKC back to the conference finals. He is the superstar and should get his way.
The Thunder can get below the second apron without dumping Dort or Isaiah Hartenstein. They need to agree to a fresh contract with I-Hart that lowers his salary in the 2026-27 season. If they can get him down to $20-25 million, Oklahoma City can keep SGA happy and make room for their draft pick.
SGA’s backing means Thunder should keep Lu Dort
The Athletic’s John Hollinger floated that the Thunder don’t have room for Dort (subscription required). He thinks they should pick up his option to trade him. It would save the franchise millions, but there is another path that keeps Gilgeous-Alexander happy.
OKC would need to make four things happen. They salary dump Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins to free up roster space. The Thunder would have to decline Kenrich Williams’ team option, but could bring him back on a minimum contract. They would need Hartenstein to agree to lower his salary to $20 million in exchange for a longer-term deal.
That puts the Thunder at $213.3 million spent with three open roster spaces. The 12th pick is projected to make $5.9, and bringing back Kenrich on the minimum gives them 14 players at just under the second apron.
This allows SGA to continue playing with his countryman and keeps OKC’s roster intact. The Thunder lost to the Spurs in seven games without Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell to close the series. They would be favored to win the championship with all three of their stars on max deals.
The financial issues aren’t going away. Cason Wallace is extension-eligible before the regular season opener, and SGA gets a $20 million per year raise in the 2027-28 season. The Thunder can’t keep everyone, but they could run it back for one more shot with this core.
Gilgeous-Alexander wanting Dort to stay changes things. The Thunder can’t trade him without convincing their superstar that it is the right move. Presti says the team is willing to spend over the second apron if necessary. Keeping Dort and adding multiple draft picks may be that scenario.
The Oklahoma City Thunder should bring back Luguentz Dort because Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wants him to stay. They have no reason to defy their superstar to trade away a former first-team All-Defensive wing. It will take some cap gymnastics to keep him, but those were coming either way. Expect Presti to nail it like he always does.
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