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Luguentz Dort still gave his all to the franchise during that period of limbo, and the potential breakup was an open point of dialogue with OKC officials — a new sort of microcosm for the modern NBA fiscal landscape. “We had a couple conversations,” Dort says. “Just knowing the situation that the team and I was in, we came up with the best agreement to see what was best for my future. … It was emotional conversations, but we knew it had to happen, and obviously I’m happy with the decision that was made.” Dort tried to remain optimistic. “Just seeing the beauty in everything,” he says, “helped me get my mind in the right place.”
He had finally found his home in the NBA. That’s why it was equally difficult — and awkward — to know that his time with the team would likely be coming to a close because of the outsize contract his performances merited, and the limiting nature of the salary cap. “It was a lot of emotions,” says Dort, a 2025 All-Defense First Team member. “I have a lot of love for this (OKC) organization. You know, they changed my life. … It’s mutual on both sides. I know they got a lot of love for me, as well. But we all know it’s part of the business. You knew it was going to happen at some point.
Justin Martinez: Mark Daigneault on the impact Lu Dort and Aaron Wiggins had on OKC: “It’s a point of pride because it’s about as mutually beneficial of a situation as you can find. They were guys who came from the back of the draft. They came from two-way contracts. They came all the way through to prominent rotational positions on highly-successful teams. It’s positioned them to make generational money and play in the NBA for 10-plus years, which both of them will. And for us, they had huge contributions to the identity, the establishment of our program and the way that we operate. And then they had a lot of on-court success. They weren’t just these culture guys. They were really, really impactful players for us. When you step back and look at it, for the program to benefit as much as we did from them and for them to benefit as much as they did from our program, that’s how you draw it up.”
Lauren L. Williams: Lu Dort (right knee contusion), Keshon Gilbert (left patella tendinitis), Jalen Johnson (rest) are out. CJ McCollum looks to be back in the rotation.
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Lu Dort says winning Olympic gold for Canada would mean more to him than winning an NBA title Ibaka: “Winning the NBA title or winning Olympic gold?” Dort: “I’d say winning a gold medal because Canada gave my family a great opportunity to have a better life.” Ibaka: “Winning a gold medal is more important than an NBA championship…” Dort: “Yes.” Ibaka: “Wow, okay.”
Lauren L. Williams: New Hawks forward Lu Dort has always had the mentality of earning his opportunities. "So now I just got to come in and really blend in, learn about the whole system and everything else, get to know my teammates and get to spend some time on the court with (them)."
Brandon Rahbar: Jaylin Williams on Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins: “Of course we all miss them. I’m happy for them.” JWill says those guys are his brothers. “I hope they succeed at the highest level.”
Justin Martinez: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said it "sucks" to see Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aaron Wiggins no longer on the team, but he continues to be close with them: "Those guys are never more than a phone call away, and vice versa."
Clemente Almanza: Luguentz Dort on getting traded to the Hawks: "It's amazing. Obviously, Nickeil [Alexander-Walker] is one of my closest friends. Played on the same team with Nickeil in high school and against him our whole life, obviously. When I got the call and I knew I was heading there, I hit him right away. I was really happy. He's helped me out throughout this whole transition and with their style of play. I'm glad that I got a guy like him on my team now."
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Marc Stein: The Bahamas, I'm told, do hope to have Philadelphia's VJ Edgecombe in the lineup Monday against visiting Panama after a @FIBA win in Uruguay without him last night. Canada also rested Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Lu Dort last night but could bring them back Monday vs. Argentina.
Appearing on the 'Cousins' podcast with Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter, Wallace reflected on his time with Luguentz Dort. The two spent three seasons in OKC together. It's all love between the two as they were two-thirds of their three-headed perimeter-defense monster — alongside Alex Caruso. "Shoutout Lu. In my opinion, the best on-ball guard defender in the league. He’s so solid. He doesn’t gamble too often. He's one of the best," Wallace said. "I’ve learned a lot through Lu. He's one of the best guard defenders in the league for sure. Toughest assignment every night. Easily, it's him."
