The Oklahoma City Thunder would be foolish to trade Luguentz Dort to the Los Angeles Lakers. Luka Doncic wants an elite 3-and-D wing flanking him in Los Angeles. Sam Presti can’t help one of the best teams in the West get better.
Helping Luka is even more dangerous after his Mavericks upset the Thunder in 2024. The Lakers have made the call (subscription required), and the Thunder need to trim their payroll. It makes sense for LA, but why would the Thunder want to face Dort multiple times every year?
The 6’4 wing was first-team All-Defense in 2025 and is a career 35.8 percent 3-point shooter. His percentage likely improves playing off Luka. The Lakers would have their point of attack defender as the Thunder would be ignoring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s wish. It could result in disaster, especially if Dort slows down the two-time MVP as the Lakers upset OKC in the playoffs.
The Thunder would be foolish to trade Lu Dort to the Lakers
Dort should be expendable. The Thunder have Cason Wallace ready to step in as a starter. Oklahoma City needs to trim $28.5 million from their books to avoid the second apron and free up roster space for their draft picks. Dort’s $17.7 million team option will be picked up, so the franchise can get more capital in return.
The Lakers won 53 games and tied the eventual champion New York Knicks for the sixth-best regular-season record in the NBA. They played at a 55-win pace when Luka Doncic was healthy. The Thunder swept Los Angeles in the second round of the playoffs, but that was without Luka. Number 77 is one of the best players on the planet, and he instantly gives his team a shot in any contest.
The purple and gold are two crucial pieces away from serious title contention. They need a stout 3-and-D wing to defend on the ball and open up the floor. OKC would be giving LA just that in a Dort trade. The purple and gold are also searching for a rim-protecting center.
OKC isn’t letting Dort leave in free agency. They will exercise his $17.7 million team option and trade him if Presti decides to move on. The Lakers would have to pay for Dort, but the Thunder's goal is to trim their payroll. That means the return is going to be draft capital. It is something, but just picks coming back means the Lakers improve the talent on their roster.
The Thunder’s fear should be real after Luka knocked OKC out of the playoffs in 2024. Dallas was the inferior team, but Doncic played like the best player on the floor. Oklahoma City shouldn’t be strengthening one of their biggest rivals.
LA should be calling about Luguentz Dort. He fits one of the Lakers' two biggest needs, but the Oklahoma City Thunder should be hanging up and refusing to trade with Los Angeles. Strengthening one of the teams on the short list of being able to upset the Thunder simply makes no sense. OKC wants to build a dynasty, which means defeating every other team in 2027 and beyond.
Sam Presti wants to maximize Dort’s value in a trade, but OKC must be smart. Trade him anywhere, but do not give the 3-and-D wing to one of the Thunder’s biggest rivals in the West.
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