Lu Dort Joins Atlanta Hawks in Three-Team Trade
AI-generated image · US National Wire
The Oklahoma City Thunder send the All-Defensive wing to Atlanta as part of a deal involving the Dallas Mavericks to avoid the second luxury-tax apron.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have traded All-Defensive wing Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks, as Sports Illustrated first reported. The move comes as part of a three-team transaction that includes the Dallas Mavericks.
As reported by ESPN's Shams Charania, the deal sends Dort to Atlanta along with Ryan Nembhard, while former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher is sent to the Dallas Mavericks. In exchange, Oklahoma City receives three second-round draft picks. NBA insider Jake Fischer further specified that these picks include a 2027 selection from the Chicago Bulls and the most favorable picks from the Hawks in 2031 and 2032.
From a roster and financial standpoint, the move allows Oklahoma City to avoid the second apron of the luxury tax. Sports Illustrated notes that the Thunder had previously opted into Dort's $17.7 million team option earlier in the offseason before flipping him for draft capital. This move, following the recent departures of Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins, saves the organization a significant amount in tax penalties and opens a standard roster spot.
Dort arrives in Atlanta after seven seasons with the Thunder, where he appeared in 432 regular-season games and 54 postseason contests. While Sports Illustrated reports that Dort experienced a decline last season—averaging 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 34.4% from three-point range—he is expected to provide the Hawks with a defensive boost. This follows a period where Dort shot approximately 40% from beyond the arc over a two-season stretch, contributing to Oklahoma City's ascent to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.