{"id":821843,"date":"2026-08-22T07:16:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-22T07:16:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/821843\/"},"modified":"2026-08-22T07:16:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-22T07:16:08","slug":"new-chapter-lu-dort-gives-first-reaction-to-joining-hawks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/821843\/","title":{"rendered":"‘New chapter’: Lu Dort gives first reaction to joining Hawks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aug. 21, 2026, 9:30 p.m. CT<\/p>\n

\"Oct<\/p>\n

In a summer filled with saying goodbyes, perhaps the toughest one happened last. Earlier this offseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> traded Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks<\/a> for three future second-round picks. The cost-cutting move saved them a boatload of money in financial penalties.<\/p>\n

Alas, the writing was on the wall for a while. Even before the summer began. Dort had regressed across the board. His point-of-attack defense dulled out and his outside jumper steadily declined in both percentage and volume. Even though he remained a full-time starter, his playing time dwindled.<\/p>\n

In some of his first public comments since Dort was traded, he posted a highlight video of himself working out in Hawks gear. In the Instagram post, he talked about the next chapter of his NBA journey as he joins the Hawks in a contract year.<\/p>\n

“It feels good, bro. Excited, bro,” Dort said. “New chapter. New opportunity.”<\/p>\n

By the end of the 2026 NBA playoffs, the Thunder had to obviously move on from Dort. Both for financial and basketball reasons. Cason Wallace is ready for a larger role. He had a breakout third season as a first-time All-Defense member. Ajay Mitchell will also demand more shot attempts.<\/p>\n

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One of the cleanest ways to cross off both goals? Moving on from Dort. That’s why \u2014 even after the Thunder picked up his 2026-27 $17.7 million team option \u2014 the cost benefits leaned on moving on from the longtime starter. Even if it was an emotional gut-punch move to make.<\/p>\n

Dort spent the first seven seasons of his career in OKC from 2019-26. He was tied with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the longest-tenured Thunder player. Only those two guys on the roster could confidently say they saw the Thunder go from a forgettable rebuild to a dominant 2025 NBA champion. But that’s how the NBA business goes. Can’t keep the same group of guys forever.<\/p>\n

Now, he joins the Hawks. It will be interesting to see if he remains a starter. Penciling things out, he might be stuck in a reserve role as CJ McCollum, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dyson Daniels and Jalen Johnson all have better cases to be in the starting lineup.<\/p>\n

Either way, Dort must have a bounce-back year. For him, that likely includes returning to being one of the top perimeter defenders. Atlanta is likely daydreaming of his defensive pairing with Daniels and how both All-Defense members could complement each other. He should also hope to see his 3-point percentage numbers enjoy a nice bump-up. Nobody is expecting a sizzling 40% shooter, but he can’t be a detriment in the halfcourt.<\/p>\n

Dort is one of OKC’s best developmental success stories of all time. There’s a solid argument to be made that the Thunder should retire his No. 5 jersey. He was a championship starter and helped define their league-best defense over the last two years. That said, he must flip the page and refocus on getting his NBA career back on track. A fresh start on the Hawks should help with that.<\/p>\n

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