Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F Luguentz Dort
OKC Thunder Receive: G/F Talen Horton-Tucker, F Alfonzo McKinnie, LAL 2025 1st Round Pick
Not only did Luguentz Dort have some breakout performances in the NBA Bubble last season, but he solidified himself as a terrific defender after the way he defended James Harden in the playoffs. Harden still put up great scoring numbers, but it was the effort and way the Dort guarded the former NBA MVP, as a rookie nonetheless, that drew the attention of plenty.
Entering the 2020-21 season, Dort was one of the few players the OKC Thunder actually kept on their roster from a season ago and have high expectations for him moving forward as a potential great two-way player in the NBA for a long-time to come.
With all that has transpired with Oklahoma City over the years, nobody really knows what their management and front office has planned in terms of building this team back into a championship contender, and while Luguentz Dort may very well be one of their “untouchable players” in trade talks, this trade is not all that bad for the Thunder.
Talen Horton-Tucker is definitely a valuable young prospect, especially after his performances this preseason. In four preseason games this year, THT averaged 20.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and shot 54.7% from the floor and 53.8% from three-point range.
At just 20-years old, Horton-Tucker is a very intriguing prospect, which is why he would likely be packaged in a trade by the Lakers to get Dort. For any team needing young talent on the wing, Talen Hoton-Tucker is the ideal player mold they are looking for.
Given that the Thunder have been stockpiling first-round picks, this trade could also be enticing to them because it gives them yet another chance to acquire a draft pick. This would be their 19th first-round pick they would have the rights to through 2027, which is unheard of.
The OKC Thunder are planning something big, but the question that remains is if Luguentz Dort is going to be a part of their plans moving forward. Let’s take a closer look as to why this trade makes sense for both the Los Angeles Lakers and the OKC Thunder.
