The Los Angeles Lakers have contacted the Oklahoma City Thunder to gauge the availability of defensive specialist Luguentz Dort, league sources told NBA reporter Jake Fischer.
L.A. is expected to operate with salary-cap space this offseason, giving the front office flexibility to either sign free agents outright or absorb contracts in trades. Dort, 27, is entering the final year of his deal on a $17.7 million team option that Oklahoma City must decide on before free agency. The Thunder could consider moving the veteran guard to sidestep costly second-apron tax penalties.
Dort averaged 8.3 points on 38.5 percent shooting and 34.4 percent from three during the 2025-26 regular season, with further declines in the playoffs. Two years earlier, he earned All-Defensive First Team honors while shooting 43.5 percent overall and 41.2 percent from deep in the Thunder’s 2024-25 championship run.
If Oklahoma City exercises the option and chooses to shed salary, the Lakers could absorb the contract using cap space and likely send a draft pick in return. Adding Dort would immediately strengthen Los Angeles’ perimeter defense, though his inconsistent offense and the club’s potential use of a non-shooting center present fit questions. Acquiring him would also reduce the Lakers’ ability to re-sign some of their own free agents.
The franchise faces mounting pressure to construct a roster capable of contending around star guard Luka Doncic, who has publicly prioritized winning a championship over individual awards.
Source: LakersNation.com
