1 player Oklahoma City Thunder must trade despite winning 2025 NBA Finals

Luguentz Dort has been a defensive cornerstone for the Thunder, often tasked with guarding the opposition’s best perimeter scorer. His physicality, intensity, and ability to hit timely threes have made him a fan favorite and a critical part of Oklahoma City’s identity. However, the Thunder’s championship run revealed both their strengths and their redundancies. With Jalen Williams blossoming into an All-Star-caliber wing and Cason Wallace proving he can defend at a high level, Oklahoma City has a surplus of perimeter stoppers. Meanwhile, the team’s offense, while potent, sometimes stagnated in the halfcourt, especially when Dort’s inconsistent shooting and limited playmaking were exposed by elite playoff defenses.

Financially, the Thunder are approaching a crossroads. With Williams and Holmgren due for extensions and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s supermax kicking in soon, Oklahoma City must be strategic with its cap sheet. Dort’s contract, while reasonable for a high-level defender, becomes less palatable when considering the team’s depth at his position and the need to allocate resources toward offensive upgrades or future flexibility. Trading Dort now, at the height of his value as a champion and elite defender, allows the Thunder to address roster needs and avoid future salary cap complications.

The Perfect Trade Proposal

With the Thunder’s depth and draft capital, they are well-positioned to make a move that balances the roster and addresses specific needs. The Brooklyn Nets, entering a rebuild and seeking defensive intensity and leadership, are a logical trade partner. Brooklyn also has a player who fits Oklahoma City’s needs: Cameron Johnson, a sharpshooting forward who can space the floor and provide instant offense.

Proposed Trade:

• Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Cameron Johnson
• Brooklyn Nets receive: Luguentz Dort, Ousmane Dieng, 2025 first-round pick (via Clippers)

This trade accomplishes several key objectives for both teams. For Oklahoma City, Johnson’s career 39% three-point shooting and ability to play both forward spots add a new dimension to their offense, addressing the one area where the Thunder lagged during their title run: consistent perimeter shooting, especially in the playoffs. Johnson’s contract, while similar in value to Dort’s, aligns with the Thunder’s need for offensive versatility and complements their young core’s skill set.

For Brooklyn, Dort brings defensive tenacity and a winning pedigree to a locker room in need of identity. Ousmane Dieng, a 21-year-old forward with intriguing upside, offers developmental potential, while the first-round pick gives the Nets another asset as they build for the future.

Trading Dort is not a reflection of his shortcomings, but rather a recognition of the Thunder’s evolving needs and the realities of roster management. With Holmgren and Williams soon eligible for significant extensions, and the team’s payroll set to rise, Oklahoma City must allocate resources toward players who can address their offensive gaps without sacrificing defensive integrity. Johnson’s shooting and positional versatility make him an ideal fit, especially as the Thunder prepare to defend their title against teams that will scheme to exploit any offensive inconsistency.

Additionally, this move allows the Thunder to consolidate their depth, opening up more playing time for promising young guards and wings who have earned larger roles. By moving Dort and Dieng, Oklahoma City avoids the pitfalls of overextending their rotation and ensures that their best players are on the floor in the biggest moments.

A Championship Team That Keeps Evolving

The Thunder’s 2025 championship is a testament to smart drafting, patient development, and a commitment to two-way basketball. But dynasties are built on adaptability, not sentimentality. By trading Luguentz Dort for a high-impact shooter like Cameron Johnson, Oklahoma City can shore up its few weaknesses, maintain financial flexibility, and set itself up for sustained success. The NBA’s youngest champion must continue to evolve, and this bold move would signal that the Thunder are not satisfied with just one title, they’re building a legacy to go down as one of the all-time greats in NBA history.