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Posted: Jul 20, 2026 7:12 AMUpdated: Jul 20, 2026 8:12 AM
OKC Trades Lu Dort
Probably the starkest news of the offseason yesterday for the Oklahoma City Thunder, as OKC is moving on from one of its core members of the past decade.
Oklahoma City traded Lu Dort yesterday to the Atlanta Hawks. It was a three-team trade with the Thunder receiving multiple 2nd Round draft picks.
The move is certainly to shed salary. With the moves of Dort, Isiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, OKC has shed nearly 200 million dollars in salary.
The Thunder made the trade rather than declining Dort’s option earlier this offseason. The move enabled them to pick up draft picks and a 17-million-dollar trade exception. It will also set Dort up with the possibility of signing with Atlanta long-term, which did not seem financially viable in Oklahoma City.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti told the Oklahoman the move was money-motivated.
"This was a financial decision. The impression I have been given is that the savings generated this summer, and from being out of the tax the last several years, will be re-allocated to future teams."
Dort was the longest-tenured member of the Thunder. OKC signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
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