Thunder’s Sam Presti says Lu Dort trade came down to finances

The Thunder didn’t trade Luguentz Dort because they stopped believing in him. They traded him because the numbers no longer worked.

Speaking with Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman, Thunder general manager Sam Presti acknowledged the deal that sent Dort to the Hawks was driven by Oklahoma City’s financial outlook rather than basketball concerns.

“This was a financial decision,” Presti said.

Presti explained that the organization’s recent luxury-tax savings, combined with new revenue streams, should help position the Thunder to keep their championship-caliber roster together over the coming years.

“The impression I have been given is that the savings generated this summer, and from being out of the tax the last several years, will be reallocated to future teams,” Presti said. “Along with other new well-documented revenue streams, this will allow us to make more basketball-related decisions over the next several years.”

According to Yossi Gozlan of The Third Apron, Oklahoma City’s decision to move Dort without taking back salary is projected to save roughly $100 million in salary and luxury-tax penalties while giving the team additional roster flexibility.

As Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman noted, the move wasn’t about avoiding second-apron restrictions as much as it was preserving long-term financial flexibility.

“We have a team that is capable of contention,” Presti said. “And as I understand it, the decisions this summer have positioned us financially to maintain a team of this caliber.”

Presti also made it clear the decision wasn’t easy.

Dort went undrafted in 2019 before developing into one of the NBA’s premier perimeter defenders and a key contributor during Oklahoma City’s championship run.

“I just remember saying to him that this was the beginning and not the end,” Presti recalled. “On draft night things are aligned vertically 1-to-60, but the morning after everyone is lined up side by side… It’s safe to say that he will finish amongst the top of that race. I love the guy, love what he’s about and we will miss him.”

With Dort now in Atlanta, Presti said the Thunder won’t simply ask Cason Wallace or Ajay Mitchell to replicate his role. Instead, Oklahoma City plans to evolve.

“It has always been our belief it is necessary to embrace change and not fall victim to trying to imitate ourselves or our previous play style,” Presti said.

Presti added that moving Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe this offseason was difficult, but emphasized each played a significant role in helping establish the Thunder as one of the NBA’s elite teams.