Lu Dort’s move from Oklahoma City to Atlanta came with the kind of emotional reset that usually follows a long run with one team, but the veteran wing isn’t sounding like someone weighed down by it.
Dort was traded by the Thunder to the Hawks for three future second-round picks after spending his first seven NBA seasons in Oklahoma City. That stretch turned him from an undrafted two-way rookie into an All-Defense selection and an NBA champion, all while the Thunder climbed from a rebuild to historic dominance.
Now in a contract year, Dort has had time to process the switch, and he’s already talking up his fit in Atlanta - especially alongside Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The two played together for Canada in a 97-92 win over Argentina in a 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifier window, combining for 51 points in the victory.
"It's amazing. Obviously, Nickeil is one of my closest friends.
Played on the same team with Nickeil in high school and against him our whole life, obviously. When I got the call and I knew I was heading there, I hit him right away," Dort said.
"I was really happy. He's helped me out throughout this whole transition and with their style of play.
I'm glad that I got a guy like him on my team now."
Dort also turned in a strong performance in front of his home province of Quebec, Canada, finishing with 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting, two rebounds, two assists and two steals. He went 4-of-9 from 3 and 5-of-6 at the line.
For Atlanta, the appeal is straightforward: Dort brings another perimeter defender into the mix as the Hawks try to build on last season’s second-half surge. Whether he ends up in the starting five is still to be determined, but the Hawks at least know they have another tough body to deploy on the wing.
From Oklahoma City’s side, the move made sense once the playoff run wrapped up. Cason Wallace is poised to step into a full-time starting role after his breakout season, and opening that lane likely meant moving one of the franchise’s best development stories ever.
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