Free-agent Lu Dort signs a 5-year contract with Thunder.

Free-agent Lu Dort signs a 5-year contract with Thunder.

Free-agent Lu Dort signs a 5-year contract with Thunder. In a post-draft press conference, Sam Presti and the Oklahoma City Thunder stated that they planned to exercise Lu Dort’s $1.9 million option unless something strange happened. Evidently, something had changed since the Thunder declined to take up the offer. This allows Dort to exercise his right to restricted free agency.

For the benefit of Thunder supporters, Presti and Dort agreed to a five-year, $87.5 million contract. While some supporters would consider this to be an overpayment, the comparison of his new contract to those of other players shows that it is reasonable.

Dort had a 17.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, and 1.7 APG average in the prior campaign. Jalen Brunson averaged 16.3 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game, and 4.8 assists per game. It is presumed that he will receive a four-year, $110 million contract.

Given the increased wage cap, which increased from $112.4 million in 2021–22 to $123.655 million in 202–23, Dort’s $17.5 million–per–year deal is tradable if the parties chose to part ways in the future.

Dort is a great defender, which adds tremendous value on its own and justifies the high cost of his deal. In addition, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a close friend and Dort’s neighbor, gets to make the Thunder happy.