NBA Trade Notes: Hawks, Lu Dort, Thunder, roster, Mavericks

Hawks

The Hawks didn’t necessarily get younger in Sunday’s three-team trade. But they may have gotten tougher, writes Rohan Roman of SI.

Atlanta landed veteran wing Luguentz Dort from the Thunder, giving the club another proven perimeter defender after already adding Aaron Wiggins earlier this offseason. Ryan Nembhard also heads to the Hawks, while former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher is off to Dallas.

Dort’s offensive game has always come with questions, but his defensive reputation is well established. He was a key part of Oklahoma City’s 2025 championship run and gives Atlanta another physical wing to throw at some of the Eastern Conference’s top scorers.

The move also says plenty about where the Hawks believe they are.  Rather than waiting for Risacher’s long-term development, Atlanta appears to have decided it needs players who can help it win now.

Thunder

For Oklahoma City, the biggest question isn’t who left. It’s who replaces him, as written by Derek Parker of Thunder on SI.

Cason Wallace appears to be the obvious candidate to slide into Dort’s starting spot alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, Parker writes.

Wallace has already proven he can handle that role, starting 58 games last season while earning All-Defensive honors of his own.

The Thunder could also look toward Ajay Mitchell if they want more offense in the starting lineup. Mitchell averaged 13.6 points last season and offers another ball-handler next to Gilgeous-Alexander, though that alignment would sacrifice some of the defensive identity Dort helped establish.

Either way, Oklahoma City once again appears comfortable betting on its depth.

Mavericks

Dallas, meanwhile, may have quietly made one of the more intriguing buy-low moves of the offseason.

Risacher arrived in the NBA carrying the expectations that come with being the No. 1 overall pick, but his two seasons in Atlanta never unfolded the way either side envisioned. After averaging 12.6 points as a rookie, his production slipped last season as his role gradually diminished.

Now comes a fresh start. The Mavericks are building around reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, and unlike Atlanta, they aren’t asking Risacher to immediately become a cornerstone.

Instead, Dallas can afford to let the 21-year-old develop while surrounding him with established veterans such as Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II.

The talent that made Risacher the top pick hasn’t disappeared. Neither has the opportunity.

Sometimes all a young player needs is a different situation. The Mavericks are betting this turns out to be one of those cases.