Can OKC Thunder Extend Lu Dort's Contract in 2027?

The Oklahoma City Thunder successfully extended their core trio of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren to long-term max contracts during the 2025 offseason. While the team's ownership has the financial capacity to pay its stars and maintain a deep roster through rookie contracts and annual draft restocking, financial sacrifices will become necessary in the coming years.

Guard Lu Dort emerges as a potential candidate to be sacrificed. He is set to earn $18.2 million this season, with a team option for the same amount next offseason. The Thunder would likely seek a new deal for Dort at that point, but their ability to offer one may be restricted. Dort, considered a potential "lifer" since his 2019-2020 rookie year, has developed into one of the NBA's premier 3-and-D players within the franchise. However, when his contract expires, he could command $20-25 million annually, a price tag that might be financially burdensome for the Thunder. Despite his importance over the last five years, Dort is viewed as more replaceable than the core trio of Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Holmgren.

While a path exists for Dort to remain long-term, especially given the Thunder's multi-season window and GM Sam Presti's forward-thinking approach, the unpredictable league landscape makes the outcome uncertain. At minimum, the team will likely have to part with either Dort or Isaiah Hartenstein. Hartenstein, an impending free agent, appears the more likely candidate to depart, as the Thunder can develop Thomas Sorber to fill his role.