Thunder expected to guarantee Luguentz Dort’s contract for 2022-23

The Oklahoma City Thunder are planning to guarantee Luguentz Dort‘s contract for next season, according to Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman.

Dort is set to make $1,930,681 in the final season of a four-year deal he signed as a rookie. Oklahoma City has until June 29 to reach a decision, but general manager Sam Presti told Mussatto that all signs point to guaranteeing the contract rather than making Dort a restricted free agent.

“Obviously it’s our plan to exercise that pending anything different,” Presti said.

Presti may be alluding to a potential trade, as there were multiple reports before the draft that the Portland Trail Blazers had interest in acquiring the 24-year-old swingman.

Dort put up career-best numbers this season with 17.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 51 games, but his season was cut short by a shoulder injury in mid-February. If the Thunder do guarantee the final year of his deal, he will become an unrestricted free agent next summer.