NBA exec says Lakers need to steal Lu Dort if possible: ‘He’s a must-have’

The Los Angeles Lakers have a major offseason ahead of them as they look to build out their roster around superstar Luka Doncic.

One potential target for the Lakers could be Oklahoma City Thunder wing Luguentz Dort, who has a team option for the 2026-27 season. He could be available as a free agent (if OKC declines his option) or through the trade market.

Dort was a key piece to the Thunder’s title run last season, and he is one of the best defenders in the league, finishing fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting in the 2024-25 campaign.

“I think if you’re the Lakers, you want to be front and center on some of those guys,” one Western Conference executive said, via Heavy Sports. “Lu Dort is the guy who could just come in and change your entire perimeter defense. He’s a must-have if they can get him. That’s been a problem for them for so long. But if you have Luka you need 3-and-D guys and he’s on another level.”

Dort’s shooting could be a potential concern for the Lakers if they were to add him to the roster, as he went from hitting 41.2 percent of his 3s in the 2024-25 season to just 34.4 percent in the 2025-26 season.

In the 2026 postseason, Dort made just 30.8 percent of his 3-pointers, and he’s shooting 33.2 percent from deep in the playoffs in his career.

Still, the one-time champion would give the Lakers a player that they could stick on some of the best guards and wings in the NBA. Since Los Angeles has two guards that aren’t elite defenders in Doncic and Austin Reaves, finding a way to improve on the defensive end of the floor is key to helping the Lakers make a title run.

Marcus Smart was a solid addition for Los Angeles in the 2025-26 season, but he could opt out of his deal and become a free agent this offseason. If that happens, the Lakers may need to look elsewhere to replace him, and they could benefit from both bringing Smart back and acquiring Dort.

Since the Thunder are going to be entering a bit of a salary cap crunch as some of their younger players get older, Dort could be a player that OKC views as expendable as it tries to keep the rest of its core together.

It’ll be interesting to see if the Lakers pursue the former undrafted free agent as they aim to upgrade their roster in the offseason.