The Los Angeles Lakers are scrambling for ways to improve a roster that was overwhelmed by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs, and one of the players who helped eliminate them may now be on their radar.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Lakers have reached out to Oklahoma City about the availability of veteran wing Lu Dort as they explore potential offseason upgrades.
“I’m also told that the Lakers have called the Thunder about swingman Lu Dort’s availability,” Stein reported on his Substack.
The inquiry comes at a fascinating time for the reigning Western Conference powerhouse. Oklahoma City is facing a roster crunch with 15 players already under contract and two first-round picks in the upcoming draft. That situation has fueled speculation that the Thunder could consider moving Dort after exercising his $17.2 million team option.
The 27-year-old has long been viewed as one of the NBA’s premier perimeter defenders. He earned First Team All-Defense honors during Oklahoma City’s championship run in 2025 and has built a reputation as one of the league’s toughest assignments for opposing stars.
For a Lakers team that finished near the bottom half of the league defensively and struggled to contain Oklahoma City’s athletic wings during the postseason, Dort’s skill set is an obvious fit.
The challenge, however, is convincing the Thunder to move him.
While Dort’s offensive production dipped last season to 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, his defensive value remains significant. Oklahoma City still views him as a key contributor, and any trade would likely require meaningful assets from a Lakers team that is already limited in draft capital.
There are also questions about whether Dort’s offense would complement a roster built around Luka Dončić. After shooting better than 41 percent from three during Oklahoma City’s title season, Dort’s efficiency slipped considerably in 2025-26, raising concerns about spacing alongside the Lakers’ stars.
Still, the reported interest reveals Los Angeles’ priorities this offseason. The Lakers are expected to pursue defensive-minded wings and frontcourt help, with veteran centers Walker Kessler, Mitchell Robinson and Robert Williams III also reportedly on their radar.
Whether a deal ultimately materializes remains uncertain, but the Lakers have clearly identified the type of player that is on their radar.
