NBA Rumors: Thunder, Lu Dort, Hornets, roster, Hawks

Thunder

The Thunder may eventually face some difficult financial decisions, and according to John Hollinger of The Athletic, veteran guard Lu Dort could become one of the casualties.

Hollinger predicted Oklahoma City will exercise Dort’s $17 million team option for next season, only to explore trading him afterward as a cost-cutting move.

“Here’s the thing: The Thunder can’t afford to keep him at this price, or any price, really, as they’re $28 million over next year’s second apron even without him, have ample depth at his position and need to make room on the roster for two more first-round picks,” Hollinger wrote.

Hollinger added that he believes the Thunder could ultimately move Dort for draft compensation.

The suggestion is certainly noteworthy, considering Dort has become one of the franchise’s foundational pieces.

Since joining Oklahoma City in 2019, he has started 423 regular-season games and another 54 playoff contests, earning NBA All-Defensive First Team honors this past season.

Still, the Thunder are approaching the stage where keeping a championship roster together becomes increasingly expensive.

Hornets

The Hornets appear committed to maintaining much of the core that helped produce their most encouraging season in recent memory.

According to Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer, guard Coby White and center Moussa Diabate are considered strong candidates to remain in Charlotte moving forward.

White arrived at the trade deadline and is expected to stay with the organization, which owns his full Bird rights.

Meanwhile, Diabate continues to provide value as an energetic rebounder and rotational big man while playing on a team-friendly contract.

As Boone noted, the bigger questions may involve other members of the roster.

Miles Bridges remains one of the most intriguing names to monitor, while Pat Connaughton, Josh Green, Tre Mann and Grant Williams have also been mentioned as players who could potentially be involved in offseason discussions.

The Hornets appear to have a promising young foundation built around LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel and Brandon Miller. The challenge now becomes finding the right supporting pieces around that trio.

Hawks

The Hawks could take one of two very different approaches this offseason.

As outlined by Spotrac’s Keith Smith, Atlanta has the flexibility to create as much as $32 million in cap space and become a player in free agency.

The alternative would be to remain over the cap, prioritize retaining its own free agents and explore upgrades through trades.

Either path could lead to roster improvements after a season that offered plenty of reasons for optimism.

One area Smith identified as a need is additional size.

Even if Atlanta brings back reserve center Jock Landale, the Hawks may still look to add frontcourt depth. Holding two first-round picks in this month’s draft could provide a logical avenue for addressing that need.

With the draft approaching and free agency just around the corner, Atlanta’s front office will soon have to determine which path makes the most sense.