Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti went into detail during his preseason media presser about how the team was able to extend Lu Dort to a five-year, $87.5 million this past June.
For those who don’t remember, Presti noted during the rookie introductory press conference that the Thunder would likely punt contract negotiations with Dort until next summer.
Five days later, the opposite would happen as the Thunder locked up Dort for the long-term a day after declining his cheap team option.
Presti spoke in detail about what changed, essentially saying both sides were willing to compromise and credits Dort’s persistence to stay in Oklahoma City.
“There is a willingness for him to be part of the organization going forward. There is a willingness for the team to want him to be part of the organization.
“I’m trying to recount it. It was a while ago. But when you have two mutual interests, a lot of times those things work out. We’ve done a lot of extensions over the course of time. We’ve done a lot of — like a new contract in his case.
“But he just wanted to be here, and I think he’s going to do great.”
After going undrafted in 2019, Dort has played his way into being a key piece of the young Thunder core and was awarded for his hard work with a handsome extension.
