Lu Dort’s time in Oklahoma City is over, but the goodbye landed with the kind of weight you’d expect from one of the Thunder’s most important developmental wins.
The Thunder dealt Dort to the Atlanta Hawks for three future second-round picks, a move that helped Oklahoma City get under the second apron and trim salary as the franchise made its first major roster shakeup in years. It was a business decision, but it also closed the book on one of the team’s most meaningful success stories.
In seven seasons, Dort went from an undrafted rookie to an All-Defense player and a one-time NBA champion. He was tied with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the Thunder’s longest-tenured player, which made the separation hit even harder on the sentimental side.
After waiting a couple of weeks to process the trade, Dort finally posted his farewell on Instagram, pairing the message with a tribute video.
"Dear OKC, there are no words that could ever fully express what the 405 means to me, but one thing will always be true: I’ll forever be grateful," Dort wrote. "Thank you to the Oklahoma City Thunder organization for taking a chance on a young, overlooked kid from Montreal seven years ago.
To the coaching staff, thank you for pouring so much into me day after day, year after year. To this city, thank you for making this HOME - not just for me, but for my family.
And to my teammates, thank you for every battle we fought together and every challenge we faced along the way. To YOU, Loud City - I will forever appreciate the relentless support.
Through all the highs and lows, you never stopped believing in us as we chased the goal of bringing this city its first championship. I wouldn’t trade my time here for anything.
This place helped shape me into the man you see today, and I’ll always carry these memories with me. I leave with nothing but the deepest sense of love, gratitude, and appreciation for everyone who made this chapter so special...
With love, Luuuuuuuuu. 5 out."
That message summed up exactly what Dort meant to the franchise: not just a defender and a playoff performer, but a player who grew up in front of the fan base and became part of the Thunder’s identity.
The NBA doesn’t leave much room for permanence, and Oklahoma City felt that this summer as it moved on from three players who helped the team win the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2025. Still, Dort’s letter made one thing clear - even after the trade, his connection to OKC is intact.
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