The Oklahoma City Thunder’s cost-cutting measures proceed.
Although this time, the Thunder are transferring an integral piece to their contendership, and that’s all-world defender Lu Dort, who has been with the group since signing as an undrafted rookie in 2019.
Dort is being traded from OKC to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal, per Shams Charania of ESPN.
The deal will also see the Hawks ship three second-round picks to the Thunder, as nicely as promoting off 2024 No. 1 general choose Zaccharie Risacher to the Dallas Mavericks, who are sending Ryan Nembhard — youthful brother of Indiana Pacer guard Andrew Nembhard — to Atlanta.
Luguentz Dort celebrates during the recreation against the San Antonio Spurs during Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference Finals on May 30, 2026, at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. NBAE via Getty Images
OKC, which also traded Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons and Aaron Wiggins to the Hawks this summer time, ducked under the second apron for this coming season while including seven second-round picks. This was a aim of theirs coming into the low season, given that Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren’s salaries were leaping from a mixed $20.3 million to $83 million next season.
Dort, whose team choice for $18.2 million for the 2026-27 season was accepted by the Thunder earlier this offseason, will successfully be an expiring contract for Atlanta this 12 months, and a productive veteran on a principally youthful team.
On the courtroom, the 27-year-old Dort — who is coming into his eighth season — was fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2024-25 and named to the All-Defensive first-team.
That said, Dort won the 2025 title as a beginning wing on OKC, the first since the franchise moved from Seattle following the 2007-08 season. Dort has been a fixture in OKC’s beginning lineup since being a discover following the 2019 NBA Draft, beginning 423 of a potential 432 video games in his profession, alongside with all 54 of his playoff appearances.
Zaccharie Risacher handles the ball during the recreation against the New York Knicks during Round 1 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. NBAE via Getty Images
Dort’s manufacturing has tailed off a bit, dropping to 8.3 factors and 3.6 rebounds per contest and 34.4 % capturing from three last season, down from never falling under double-digits since his rookie season, averaging 12.8 factors in the 5 seasons prior, and as many as 17.2 with the rebuilding Thunder in 2021-22.
Atlanta already punting on Risacher is noteworthy, underscoring his underwhelming efficiency through two NBA seasons.
Risacher, who was second in Rookie of the Year voting in 2024-25, dropped from 12.6 to 9.6 factors per recreation from his first two seasons, and stagnated in practically every other class while struggling to land rotation minutes in Atlanta’s six-game playoff loss to the Knicks in Round 1 this previous April.
Risacher only appeared in 22 minutes in the sequence, 20 of them in blowout losses.
Ryan Nembhard dribbles the ball during the recreation against the Los Angeles Lakers on July 11, 2026, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NBAE via Getty Images
By nature of being chosen No. 1 general, the 21-year-old French ahead is due to make $13.8 million this season, which will enhance to $17.4 million in 2027-28 if his fourth-year choice is picked up by the Mavericks, the deadline of which will be on October 31.
The last No. 1 general choose to have their fourth-year choice declined was well-known draft bust Anthony Bennett from the equally lackluster 2013 NBA Draft class.
The last No. 1 general choose who was given up on after two seasons did see his fourth-year choice picked up: former 76er-turned-Orlando Magic guard Markelle Fultz, the prime choose in 2017. With Fultz, his struggles were primarily due to accidents, and his fourth-year wage was $12.2 million in a non-second-apron period.
The aforementioned youthful Nembhard proved to be a productive NBA player as an undrafted rookie last season, averaging 6.6 factors and 5.3 assists while hitting 35.6 % from deep, and even beginning 27 of his 60 appearances for the Mavs.
Nembhard initially performed on a two-way contract but was transformed to a customary deal during the season. He will make $2.15 million in 2026-27 before coming into free company after the season.
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