Thunder trading Lu Dort to Hawks; Mavs acquiring Zaccharie Risacher

July 19, 2026

The Thunder are moving on from one of the key pieces of their 2025 championship run.

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Oklahoma City is trading All-Defensive wing Lu Dort to the Hawks in a three-team deal that also sends former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher from Atlanta to the Mavericks.

The Thunder will receive three second-round picks, Charania reported.

Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported Oklahoma City will receive Chicago’s 2027 second-round pick (via Dallas), along with the most favorable second-round selections available in 2031 and 2032 from Atlanta. The Thunder are also creating a $17.72 million traded player exception.

The three second-round picks OKC is receiving in exchange for Lu Dort, per source: 2027 Chicago via Dallas, 2031 most favorable from Atlanta, plus a 2032 most favorable from Atlanta. https://t.co/1n5mLb7aeS

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 19, 2026

The move gives Oklahoma City additional financial flexibility, dropping the Thunder comfortably below the second tax apron while significantly reducing their projected luxury tax bill, Charania added.

The Thunder exercised Dort’s $17.7 million option just last month before ultimately deciding to move him. The deal follows earlier cost-cutting trades involving Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins.

Dort, 27, spent seven seasons with Oklahoma City, earning first-team All-Defensive honors and helping the franchise capture the 2025 NBA championship.

According to Charania, Atlanta had been searching for help on the wing and views Dort as a potential long-term piece. He joins a defensive-minded group that already includes Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Meanwhile, Dallas is taking a chance on Risacher, who was selected No. 1 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft but never carved out a major role with the Hawks.

The Mavericks are using an existing traded player exception to absorb Risacher’s contract, according to salary cap expert Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron.

Zaccharie Risacher will go into the Mavericks $20.9 million Anthony Davis trade exception.

They’re now just $2.3 million under the luxury tax line with 16 players on standard contracts.

— Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) July 19, 2026

Dallas also acquires guard Ryan Nembhard in the deal, while Atlanta receives the rookie point guard after sending Risacher to the Mavericks.

Risacher averaged 11.1 points and 3.7 rebounds over his first two NBA seasons, though his playing time dropped significantly during Atlanta’s playoff run.

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