Lakers Expressed Interest in Lu Dort Before Hawks Trade
lakers-expressed-interest-in-lu-dort-before-hawks-trade
The Los Angeles Lakers were among several teams that explored a trade for Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort before the defensive specialist was sent to the Atlanta Hawks, league sources told HoopsHype.
According to the report, the Lakers joined the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat in contacting Oklahoma City about the 2025 First Team All-Defense selection. The Thunder were seeking to reduce salary and were open to moving Dort, 27, ahead of the draft.
Talks with Los Angeles did not advance, in large part because the Lakers had limited draft assets to include in a deal. Oklahoma City ultimately moved Dort in a three-team agreement that also involved the Dallas Mavericks.
Details of the Completed Three-Team Trade
• Hawks receive: Lu Dort, guards Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and point guard Andrew Nembhard.
• Mavericks receive: 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher.
• Thunder receive: Three future second-round selections.
Dort now forms what is widely viewed as one of the league’s strongest perimeter-defense trios alongside Daniels and Alexander-Walker in Atlanta.
Lakers Pivot to Free Agency for Perimeter Help
After missing out on Dort, the Lakers addressed their wing defense by agreeing to one-year minimum contracts with Ziaire Williams and Matisse Thybulle. The club also plans to rely on Quentin Grimes and young wings Adou Thiero and Cameron Carr to bolster on-ball coverage.
Guard Collin Sexton, acquired earlier in the offseason, said he hopes to model his defensive approach after former Lakers stoppers Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley.
The Lakers are expected to continue monitoring the market for additional defensive upgrades as training camp approaches.
Source: Lakers Nation
