Luguentz Dort has been traded to the Atlanta Hawks as part of a three-team deal involving the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Dallas Mavericks. The Thunder are set to receive three second-round picks from the transaction. This move sees the Hawks acquire Dort while sending Zaccharie Risacher, the number one overall pick in the 2024 draft, to the Mavericks. Dallas, in turn, will trade Ryan Nembhard to Atlanta, according to ESPN sources.
Dort’s Role in Atlanta
Shams Charania suggests Luguentz Dort could have a long-term future with the Hawks. The 27-year-old small forward has been a fixture in the Thunder’s starting lineup for the past seven seasons. Atlanta was actively looking for help on the wing and explored various options before agreeing to acquire Dort.
The Hawks will now feature three premier perimeter defenders in Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dort. Dort will be extension-eligible throughout the 2026/27 league year.
Thunder’s Financial Strategy
Oklahoma City’s return in the deal includes Chicago’s 2027 second-round pick, via Dallas, alongside two of the most favourable second-rounders in 2031 and 2032, coming via Atlanta. The Thunder will also create a $17.7MM trade exception, equivalent to Dort’s outgoing salary.
This strategic move is expected to position the Thunder comfortably beneath the second tax apron, saving the team a significant amount of money towards their projected luxury tax bill. Oklahoma City had exercised its $17.7MM option on Dort just last month. The Thunder also recently traded Isaiah Joe to the Pistons and Aaron Wiggins to the Hawks in earlier cost-cutting decisions this month.
Dort’s Recent Performance and Accolades
Dort is coming off a down season where he averaged 8.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.9 steals across 69 games. He shot .385/.344/.759 in those 26.8 minutes per game. The Montreal native recorded 5.5 PPG and 2.7 RPG on .366/.308/.500 shooting in 15 playoff outings, where he was 2-of-4 on free throws in 22.3 minutes per game.
Despite this recent form, Dort has previously earned a spot on the All-Defensive first team and helped the Thunder win the championship in 2025.
The Mavericks will utilise their existing $20.8MM traded player exception to take on Risacher’s $13.8MM contract. Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron tweets that Risacher will be owed $17.4MM in 2027/28 if the Mavericks pick up his fourth-year option. Gozlan projects Dallas to be $2.3MM under the luxury tax line once the trade is complete, maintaining 16 players under standard contract. Ryan Nembhard, entering his second season, could provide depth at point guard for Atlanta behind rookie Kingston Flemings and veteran CJ McCollum, though it is possible the 23-year-old Canadian may not make the final roster, as Atlanta will have 17 players on standard deals after the trade. Nembhard is owed a guaranteed $2.15MM in 2026/27.