The Thunder are planning to exercise Luguentz Dort‘s team option for next season, tweets Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman. Dort is set to make $1,930,681 in the final season of a four-year deal he signed as a rookie.
Oklahoma City has until June 29 to reach a decision on Dort’s option, but general manager Sam Presti told Mussatto that all signs point to picking it up.
“Obviously it’s our plan to exercise that pending anything different,” Presti said.
Dort put up career-best numbers this season with 17.2 PPG and 4.2 RPG in 51 games, but his season was cut short by a shoulder injury in mid-February.
While Dort is obviously a major bargain on a $1.93MM salary, there was some question about whether or not the Thunder would pick up his option due to his contract situation. He could become a restricted free agent if the team declined that option, whereas if his option is picked up, he’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency in 2023.
Dort would become trade-eligible if his option is exercised. There were multiple reports before the draft that the Trail Blazers had interest in acquiring the 24-year-old swingman.
At 1.9mm that’s a no brainer.
I think if they decline it he’s an rfa and if they pick it up he’s a ufa next offseason, could see him used as a trade chip to replace a first rounder they gave up for dieng
NO! Dort is part of the core.
Does OKC have a team option for this season-? A NGC is not the same thing (in particular how it relates to them being able to make him a RFA this year).
If they do have a team option, and he’s part of their core, then the team should resign (or extend) him this off season. You wouldn’t let a guy get to UFA status unless you’re unsure about him.