Thunder execute major roster overhaul in three-team deal involving Dort, Risacher
Sources tell ESPN that the Thunder have traded Luguentz Dort to the Atlanta Hawks, sending former No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher to the Dallas Mavericks in a complex agreement that reshapes the franchise’s long-term financial and competitive landscape.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have finalised a significant three-team agreement involving the Atlanta Hawks and the Dallas Mavericks, trading All-Defensive wing Luguentz Dort to Atlanta. According to sources speaking to ESPN, the deal also sees former No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher move to the Mavericks, while guard Ryan Nembhard joins the Hawks.
This transaction marks the culmination of a broader salary reduction strategy for Oklahoma City, which has now shed approximately $200 million in salary this offseason through the departures of Dort, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins. By moving under the second apron, the Thunder have accumulated seven second-round picks in total, a significant accumulation of future assets that signals a shift in the club’s operational approach.
To facilitate the trade, the Thunder elected to pick up Dort’s $17.7 million team option rather than declining it. This decision allowed the club to create a $17 million trade exception and position Dort for a long-term contract in Atlanta that was not viable within Oklahoma City’s existing structure. The move effectively converts a high-salary commitment into immediate asset liquidity and cap flexibility.
For the Atlanta Hawks, the acquisition of the 27-year-old Dort adds an elite defensive presence to a wing rotation already featuring Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Dort, who was named to the NBA’s All-Defensive First Team in 2025, averaged 8.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in 69 games last season. The Hawks are also expected to have over $40 million in cap space available next summer, providing significant flexibility for future roster construction.
The Dallas Mavericks acquired Risacher, a 21-year-old who averaged 9.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in his second NBA season. Risacher finished as the runner-up for Rookie of the Year in the 2024-25 season behind Stephon Castle. Meanwhile, Nembhard, who averaged 6.6 points, 5.3 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 60 games during his rookie campaign, joins the Hawks’ backcourt. The details of the trade were reported by sources to ESPN and have not yet been officially confirmed by the NBA or the teams involved.
