The Thunder’s Lu Dort decision has turned into one of the more interesting roster questions in Oklahoma City.
After the team picked up the final year of his contract earlier this month, the conversation shifted fast. If Dort had opted out of his $17.7 million salary for 2026-27, Oklahoma City would have slipped below the second-apron line heading into next season. Instead, the Thunder kept him in place, and now the obvious question is whether that means they plan to move him before February’s trade deadline or simply absorb the tax penalties and keep rolling.
There’s at least some buzz around the league if Oklahoma City does decide to listen. Heavy Sports’ Sean Deveney reported that one NBA GM told him Dort “is a popular target,” which stands out given the kind of season he just had. Dort shot 38.5 percent from the floor and posted a minus-2.0 box plus-minus, numbers that don’t exactly scream trade market frenzy.
Still, there’s another layer here: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reportedly wants his longtime running mate to stay put for the coming season.
If that’s the direction the Thunder take, the next question becomes what Dort’s role actually looks like. He’s been a regular starter for most of his time in Oklahoma City, but there’s also a path where Mark Daigneault shifts him to the bench and hands the shooting guard future to Cason Wallace.
That’s what makes this situation tricky. The Thunder have options, but none of them are clean.
And even if they do decide to deal Dort before the deadline, the return may not be all that exciting. The second-apron restrictions would limit what Oklahoma City can bring back, meaning Dort would likely have to be moved for no extra salary and either modest draft capital or a cheaper contract in the $4 million range. Dalton Knecht is one example.
That kind of return doesn’t exactly match the value of a starter from a championship run. An Isaiah Joe-type package, or something similarly light, would be a tough sell.
So unless the Thunder change their mind about paying the second-apron penalties, or somehow manage to land a first-round pick in a deal, the simplest answer may be the one they already have in front of them: keep Dort and ride out the season with a proven piece still in the mix.
In Other News...
Thunder Summer League Drought Grew After Another Brutal Late Twist
The Thunders Las Vegas Summer League trip took another frustrating turn in a 106-103 loss to the Nuggets, a game that followed a familiar script of Oklahoma City hanging around long enough to make the finish matter. Payton Sandfort gave the Thunder a lift with 19 points, and Aday Mara added a productive all-around night with 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Buddy Boeheim chipped in 10 as OKC kept finding ways to stay within reach.
Sandfort did much of his damage late, scoring nine in the fourth quarter as the Thunder pushed for one last swing at the outcome. Bennett Stirtz also helped fuel the late push with active play, but the comeback came down to the final possession and left Oklahoma City still searching for a clean finish in Las Vegas. [Read more 🡒]
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Came Up Short For Another Major Honor
Shai Gilgeous-Alexanders season was strong enough to keep him in the mix for another major piece of hardware, but the latest honor went elsewhere. The Thunder star was a nominee for the 2026 ESPY NBA Player of the Year award, a field that also included Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama, underscoring just how crowded the race was among the leagues elite.
Jalen Brunson ended up taking the award after steering the Knicks to the 2026 NBA championship and earning Finals MVP honors along the way. For Gilgeous-Alexander, it was another reminder that even a standout regular season can be overshadowed when the conversation shifts to the biggest stages and the biggest moments. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Core Hit With An Insulting Drop Fans Wont Ignore
Bleacher Reports latest look at the NBAs best star trios gave Oklahoma City a familiar compliment, but not the top spot it held a year ago. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren were slotted third behind the Spurs and Knicks, a notable drop for a group that just helped power the Thunder to a championship and has already built a reputation as one of the leagues most efficient cores when everyone is available.
The bigger point for Thunder fans is that the ranking still treats the trio like an elite standard-bearer, even after injuries complicated the follow-up to that title run. Oklahoma Citys recent deep playoff pushes have been shaped as much by health as by talent, and the numbers cited in the piece suggest the ceiling remains as high as ever once the group gets back to full strength. [Read more 🡒]