Lu Dort's playoff decline could force Thunder into tough choice Mavericks should love

Heading into Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals tonight against the San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Lu Dort has quietly had a quieter playoffs than NBA fans are used to. He's averaging playoff career-lows in minutes, points, rebounds, blocks, and field goals attempted per game, and his downtick in production will force the Thunder to seriously consider if his $18.2 million team option is worth it this summer.

If Oklahoma City looks at his struggles and makes a tough decision and declines the team option, this would be incredible news for the Dallas Mavericks. This would give them the chance to pursue him in free agency, and his potential fit in Dallas is too perfect to ignore.

Thunder moving on from Dort would be incredible news for Dallas

As Mavericks fans know well, perimeter defense was one of the team's many weaknesses this year. The team struggled to slow down the best guards in the NBA, and this just happens to be Dort's specialty.

He became extremely controversial among MFFLs due to his reckless defense on Luka Doncic during the 2024 NBA Playoffs and a couple of cheap shots on Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II over the years, but having him on the Mavericks should be a sight these fans would welcome. Dort has cemented himself as one of the best defenders in the league due to his nonstop motor, physicality, tenacity, versatility, and strength, and the Mavs badly need a player like him alongside Kyrie Irving.

Dort would be able to take on the toughest defensive assignment in the backcourt while knocking down open threes on the other end, and these are both things that have made him a staple in OKC since they signed him in 2019. He has become a fan-favorite in Oklahoma City and has been a key part of their success, but his slight regression is impossible to overlook.

Dort's decline may lead to his exodus from OKC

Thunder fans have definitely grown a bit more impatient with Dort this season, especially due to his sharp decline in 3-point percentage (41.2 percent in 2024-25 to 34.4 percent this season), and now is the time for the Mavericks to strike. OKC, of course, has to decline their team option on Dort's deal before Dallas even has a chance at signing the 6-foot-4 defensive ace, but this possibility could become even more likely if Dort's role shrinks even more.

Keep in mind, he's only playing 25.0 minutes per game in the playoffs and shooting less than he ever has in the postseason, and Jalen Williams has only played in two playoff games. With Williams returning tonight, Dort's role will likely shrink even more.

On top of Williams' former absence, Ajay Mitchell is playing the best basketball of his career. He's averaging 18.8 points, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in the playoffs, and his payday in OKC is on the way. He'll be extension-eligible next summer, and to do their best to avoid the restrictions of the second apron, the Thunder will have some hard decisions to make this offseason.

Will they pick up Isaiah Hartenstein's team option or let him walk in free agency?
Is Dort as good as gone with his playoff role shrinking from the norm, and the Thunder needing to pay Mitchell and Cason Wallace soon?

Dort is exactly who the Mavericks need

These are definitely things to think about when it comes to the core of Oklahoma City's dynasty, and the Mavericks could be the biggest beneficiaries of this. Dort checks every box of what Dallas needs, and OKC turning down his team option would give the Mavs a runway to pursue him with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception (about $15 million annually for up to four years).

Dort is the type of player who can change the entire culture of your defense, and having him and Cooper Flagg in the starting lineup together would give opposing teams fits.

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