Some trades are a win-win for the key teams involved, and that is the case with Oklahoma City and Atlanta.
The Thunder have agreed to trade All-Defensive wing Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City gets three second-round picks, and, as part of the deal, Atlanta will send Zaccharie Risacher to Dallas while Ryan Nembhard heads to Atlanta, a trade broken by Shams Charania of ESPN. One of the three second-round picks is Chicago’s in 2027 (which Dallas controlled), while the second-round picks going from Atlanta to OKC (2031 and 2032) are reportedly top 55 protected.
For Oklahoma City, this was all about saving money and getting below the second apron of the luxury tax. With the max contract extensions for Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams kicking in next season, plus the team having reached a new deal with Isaiah Hartenstein, the Thunder have been looking to shed salary all summer (Isaiah Joe going out the door to Detroit, Aaron Wiggins going to Atlanta). This is more of the same, with Dort set to make $17.7 million this season, getting him off the books moves OKC below the dreaded second apron.
For Oklahoma City, Dort was the most expendable wing because, at the highest levels of the game, deep in the playoffs, he became much harder to play because of his lack of offense (38.5% shooting last season). Now, the Thunder will hand Cason Wallace the starting job, with Alex Caruso behind him off the bench. They don’t lose much on defense and get improved offense.
Atlanta is now a fearsome defensive team on the perimeter with Dort joining Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Last season, Dort averaged 8.3 points per game and shot 34.4% from 3-point range, while playing elite defense. He started in Oklahoma City but may come off the bench for the Hawks. Coach Quin Snyder now has a lot of options to play between Jalen Johnson at the four and rookie Kingston Flemmings at the point.
Look for Dort to sign an extension with the Hawks, something that financially was not going to happen with the Thunder.
Also, Atlanta picks up a quality backup point guard (who can start as needed) in Ryan Nembhard, who impressed last season with the Mavericks. He averaged 6.6 points and 5.3 assists per game for Dallas last season. He will be in a backup role behind just-drafted Kingston Flemmings (who impressed at Summer League) and CJ McCollum.
Dallas takes a shot on former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher, who can play on the wing behind Cooper Flagg. While Risacher has not panned out as hoped, he has shown flashes and last season in Atlanta, he averaged 9.6 points per game and shot 36.8% from 3-point range. It’s a low-risk move as Risacher makes just $13.8 million this season and $17.4 million next season, and the Mavericks could extend him after that if they wish.
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