Thunder Trade Lu Dort to Hawks in Three-Team Deal

Sport

By lines

July 20, 2026

Illustration of an anonymous basketball player mid-stride between two zones, marking the Lu Dort trade

The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. The three-team deal sent forward Zaccharie Risacher to the Dallas Mavericks. Oklahoma City collected three second-round picks in return.

Presti Turns Lu Dort Into Picks and Cap Relief

Dort, 27, has spent an entire NBA career with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Atlanta also acquired guard Ryan Nembhard in the same deal. The Mavericks landed Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick from 2024. Dort first joined Oklahoma City as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Oklahoma City built its 2025 title run partly around Dort’s perimeter defense.

Dort earned All-Defensive First Team honors in 2025. Dort also helped the Thunder win the 2025 NBA Finals. Risacher averaged 12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds as a rookie. Risacher started 73 of 75 games for Atlanta in 2024-25. Risacher also made the All-Rookie First Team last season. Risacher held a full-time starting role throughout that rookie season.

The pick package stretches across three future NBA drafts. Oklahoma City received Chicago’s 2027 second-round pick by way of Dallas. Atlanta sent its most favorable second-rounders in 2031 and 2032. The Thunder also opened a $17.7 million trade exception from Dort’s salary. That exception matches the outgoing money on Dort’s contract. Dort carried an outgoing salary near $17.7 million for next season.

The trade fits Oklahoma City’s summer of aggressive cost-cutting. The Thunder have now shed roughly $200 million in salary this offseason. The deal pushed Oklahoma City under the second luxury-tax apron. Oklahoma City has also stockpiled seven second-round picks this summer. General manager Sam Presti has leaned into flexibility over continuity. Dort’s exit clears another rotation contract from Oklahoma City’s books.

The deal reshapes the outlook for all three franchises. Oklahoma City loses its top perimeter defender from a title team. Dallas bets on Risacher, a former No. 1 pick still only 21. Atlanta adds Dort’s defense and playoff experience to the wing rotation. Presti keeps Oklahoma City nimble while the roster stays in contention.

Free agency and trade season now shift into a quieter phase. Oklahoma City holds seven second-round picks to package or stash. Dallas will slot Risacher next to a returning young core. Atlanta bets Dort’s defense lifts a postseason push next spring. The Thunder retool the bench with the 2026-27 season ahead. Oklahoma City can also flip those picks before the 2027 draft.