The Oklahoma City Thunder are led by 2025 NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is the motor of OKC’s offense. For his part, Luguentz Dort plays a similarly important role for the Thunder on the defensive end. The 26-year-old hustles for every play, keeping the opposition players at bay with his intense perimeter defense.
While much of the spotlight falls on the Thunder’s explosive scoring potential, Dort anchors the defense at an elite level. He excels at switching onto multiple positions, applying pressure on ball handlers, and disrupting passing lanes with his quick rotations and physicality. Given the impact he brings on that end of the floor, it’s no surprise he earned a lucrative contract. Here is a closer look at his contract details and career earnings.
Exploring Thunder Star Luguentz Dort’s Contract
Recall that Dort declared for the 2019 NBA Draft but went undrafted. The Oklahoma City Thunder eventually signed him to a two-way contract and sent the Canadian to the G-League to play for the Oklahoma City Blue. However, he was impressive in the G-League and signed a four-year, $5.3 million contract in 2019.
According to Spotrac, he earned an average salary of $1.3 million annually and continued to be a strong defensive presence for the Thunder. After all his exploits during the 2021-22 season, the Thunder offered Dort a five-year, $82.5 million contract, with $64.77 million guaranteed and a 2027 team option.
Moreover, Dort will earn a base salary of $17.72 million annually in the last year of his contract. Note that he has earned around $50.7 million in career earnings to date. Given how he’s performed over the years, Dort certainly earned his contract after a standout third season with the Thunder
Dort Earns Massive Paycheck After Solid Performances
Dort really made it easy for the Thunder to give him a new contract back in 2022. Remember that he stepped up his game big time in the 2021-22 season. He clocked 32.6 minutes and averaged 17.2 points. Dort routinely disrupts the lane for opposing slashers, draws offensive fouls, and leverages his physicality. To that effect, some fans have even called attention to his no-nonsense style defense.
The Thunder have truly made the most of developint a talent like Dort. Thanks in no small part to his defensive effort, OKC is favored to rule the 2025 NBA Finals–if everything goes well, of course. They have a young core to whom they have tied up contracts for a couple of years and hold multiple future first-round picks.
All in all, it’s good to be a Thunder fan, and Dort has a band of brothers by his side working hard for each other. The Thunder hope their young core can finally deliver an NBA championship.
