Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may not be trying to run Oklahoma City’s front office, but his view of Lu Dort still matters as the Thunder move into a tricky offseason.
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater and Tim MacMahon, Gilgeous-Alexander has publicly said he will not give Sam Presti input on personnel decisions. Privately, though, sources familiar with the star guard’s thinking said he intends to emphasize how much he values playing alongside Dort, his Canadian teammate and one of Oklahoma City’s core defensive pieces.
That is the reported part. The confirmed roster issue is that the Thunder have several financial decisions coming fast. Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein both have team-option situations that could force Oklahoma City to decide between picking up expiring numbers, working out new deals, or using the trade market to rebalance the roster.
Hartenstein is expected by team and league sources to be back with the Thunder next season, one way or another. Dort’s case sounds less clean. ESPN noted that Cason Wallace could become a possible replacement in the starting lineup, and Dort’s move to Klutch Sports agent Mike George does not exactly scream automatic team-friendly discount.
The money matters because Oklahoma City already has 15 players under contract for 2026-27 when including Hartenstein, Dort and Kenrich Williams. The Thunder also hold the No. 12, No. 17 and No. 37 picks in this month’s draft, with ESPN reporting that they are expected to be active in trade discussions.
What is still unclear is whether SGA’s preference changes the math. Presti has never been known as a reactionary executive, but when the franchise player makes it known that he values a teammate, that becomes part of the room — even if it is not the whole decision.
No comments yet. Start the conversation.