After putting forth a tremendous 2024-25 campaign, one where he posted averages of 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals and earned the first All-Defensive nod of his career, Lu Dort has notably regressed here in his seventh season with the OKC Thunder.
From his long-range shooting efficiency that has dropped from a blistering 40.3 percent over the last two seasons to, now, a mere 33.5 percent in 2025-26, to the stunning fact that Oklahoma City's defense has actually gotten better from an advanced metrics standpoint when he's been off the floor, here in a contract season, the veteran finds himself falling flat.
Because of this, all the tough questions, such as what his role should be with the team moving forward and whether the cash-strapped Thunder should consider opting out of his club option following the conclusion of the season, are starting to be asked by the fanbase.
Sadly, the current rut the ball club finds itself in only makes these discussions more important -- and OKC's top decision makers are almost certainly already having them.
Thunder must consider slowly distancing themselves from Lu Dort
For the longest time, it was believed that Isaiah Hartenstein's $28.5 million club option for next season was all but destined to be the high-priced contract to be declined this summer in an effort for the Thunder to dodge the dreaded second apron next year.
However, considering just how poorly they've been performing without him in the lineup as of late, especially on the boards (being out-rebounded 40.6 to 46.4 per game, 7.8 to 12.0 on the offensive end), there's a case to be made that having his services for the entirety of his deal may actually be beneficial.
With this in mind, perhaps pivoting to disposing of Dort's $18.2 million deal, along with, say, the final year of Kenrich Williams' contract ($7.12 million), could now be viewed as the most logical backup plan.
The Thunder already have an abundance of backcourt talents who, in essence, serve the same purpose as Dort does for this team, especially Cason Wallace, who not only cashed home from deep at a more effective rate (38.1 percent for his career) but is also playing at a level on defense that has the veteran himself in awe.
Though it would be emotionally challenging to part ways with their homegrown leader and defensive stalwart, given the way he's been playing this year, from a salary and overall schematic standpoint, it may ultimately prove to be the right move to make.
At the very least, during this rough stretch of the season, it's worth a thought.