Thunder trading fan-favorite Luguentz Dort to Hawks in cost-cutting decision

According to Spotrac contributor Keith Smith, the Thunder are now below the second apron after the Dort trade. Oklahoma City will create a $17.7M taxpayer exception for Dort. That allows teams that are over the first apron ($209.015M) but below the second to sign free agents.

The Hawks, meanwhile, should have no problem signing Dort to an extension. Spotrac estimates Atlanta has $31.274M in second-apron space. 

While trading Dort makes sense financially for the Thunder, the move will still upset many of the team's supporters. The former undrafted free agent became a fan favorite during his seven-year tenure in Oklahoma City for his relentless defense. That helped him earn the "Dorture Chamber" nickname on social media, which he was fond of. 

"I noticed it on Twitter [now X]," Dort told Hawks guard Dyson Daniels in 2025. "I [had] seen a bunch of pictures, memes and all that, and I was like 'That's a nice name.'"

Daniels, a defensive specialist, also has a nickname, "The Great Barrier Thief." Pairing the Australian guard with Dort gives the Hawks one of the better defensive backcourts in the NBA. The Thunder will still feature plenty of defensive stoppers, including guards Cason Wallace and Alex Caruso. Dort's departure will still be felt.  

Dort played a key role when the Thunder won their first championship in Oklahoma City during the 2024-25 season, ranking fifth on the team in steals (1.3) during that postseason run. Fans of the franchise will always appreciate those efforts, no matter where he plays.