The Los Angeles Lakers could pounce on the Oklahoma City Thunder’s backcourt logjam to improve their roster in the offseason.
After being exposed on defense in the 2026 playoffs, the Lakers are reportedly interested in Luguentz Dort, a 2025 All-Defensive First Team selection.
With teams and players picking up or declining options at the end of June, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto shares intel on where the Lakers could add a defensive star.
Lakers Could Target Luguentz Dort in Trade with Thunder
Last season, the Lakers were a middling defensive team. Even with Marcus Smart, the 2022 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, on the roster, they ranked 20th in defensive rating in the regular season and 11th in the playoffs.
Smart has until June 29 to decide on his $5.4 million player option.
NBA insider Dave McMenamin reported on Friday that the combo guard “enjoyed his role with the Lakers and is hoping for a new contract and a raise.”
Regardless of how Smart’s situation pans out, the Lakers’ need for a defensive boost is unsurprising.
Michael Scotto reported on Saturday that the Lakers could get their defensive reinforcement by prying Dort away from Oklahoma City.
“Dort has a team option for $17.22 million for the upcoming season that several front executives who spoke with HoopsHype are projecting the Thunder to exercise, then consider flipping Dort on the trade market. Should such a scenario happen, Dort has been linked with the Lakers and several other teams,” Scotto wrote.
Scotto emphasized that Jalen Williams is “expected to return healthy next season.” Cason Wallace, who impressed in the playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs, is poised for an even bigger role.
The Thunder have backup guards Jared McCain and Ajay Mitchell, who are ready to compete for more minutes. Wallace, McCain, and Mitchell are also notably younger than Dort.
Last season, the “Dorture Chamber” averaged 8.3 points (his lowest since the 2019-20 season), 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.9 steals per game. With the emergence of Wallace and Mitchell, Dort’s playing time has also dropped from 30.0 mpg (2020-21 to 2024-25) to 26.8 mpg this past season.
Dort signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract in July 2022. The Thunder have until June 29 to pick up a team option. If the team declines, the Canadian becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Having Luka Dončić again will improve the Lakers, but their defense needs work. Austin Reaves (player option) and LeBron James (unrestricted free agent) could also return.
When at least two of LA’s stars were healthy last season, the offense hummed. It’s on the other end that they’ve been struggling. Their star trio needs help on defense, as Dončić and Reaves have often been criticized for their shortcomings on that end.
Dort or any defensive star seems to be a must-have on their offseason shopping list.
