The Lu Dort to Portland Trail Blazers started to gain some serious momentum on Thursday as Bleacher Report NBA insider Jake Fischer mentioned the possibility.
“When I called someone from OKC this morning, they were keen on suggesting if I decided to write on this Lu Dort rumor,” said Fischer. “I should be keen to include that Portland is driving the trade talk more than OKC.”
Fischer also detailed a framework for a trade would be the Thunder sending Dort and the No. 12 pick in exchange for the Blazers’ No. 7 pick.
Just to add additional context to this trade scenario, ESPN draft expert Jonathan Givony has reported that the Thunder have been one of the more aggressive teams in terms of trading up with eyes on players like Jaden Ivey and Shaedon Sharpe.
While Dort is a fan favorite, flipping an undrafted free agent for the No. 7 pick would be massive value. Dort is a great player who is still young but if the Thunder can get a better and younger prospect on a rookie deal than having to pay Dort a second contract then it’s hard to say no to that.