Thunder Send Dort to Hawks in 3-Team Trade; Mavericks Acquire Risacher The Oklahoma City Thunder completed a significant three-team trade on Sunday, sending All-Defensive wing Luguentz Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for three second-round draft picks. The deal also involved the Dallas Mavericks, who received 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher, while the Hawks acquired Canadian guard Ryan Nembhard. The transaction marks a pivotal shift for all three franchises, reshaping their rosters and financial strategies amid the NBA offseason. The Thunder, seeking to restructure their roster and manage payroll, opted to pick up Dort’s $17.7 million team option for the 2025 season rather than declining it to save costs. In doing so, the franchise secured three future second-round picks, a $17 million trade exception, and the ability to rework Dort’s contract in Atlanta. General manager Sam Presti emphasized the financial rationale behind the decision, stating that the savings generated from the trade and previous tax exemptions would be reallocated to future teams. “This was a financial decision,” Presti told The Oklahoman. “The impression I have been given is that the savings generated this summer, and from being out of the tax the last several years, will be re-allocated to future teams.” The Hawks, meanwhile, are bolstering their wing rotation by adding Dort to a young core featuring 27-year-old elite defender Dyson Daniels and 22-year-old Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The move also provides the Hawks with over $40 million in cap space next summer, allowing flexibility to address other roster needs. Presti acknowledged the emotional impact of losing Dort, who was the longest-tenured member of the Thunder since joining as a two-way contract player in 2019.#oklahoma_city_thunder #dallas_mavericks #atlanta_hawks #zaccharie_risacher #luguentz_dort
