Decision time on Dort as NBA transaction window opens
The NBA's transaction window open sat 11 a.m. Tuesday. For one week, teams can sign and waive players to fortify their rosters before heading to Disney World in July.
For the Thunder, it's decision time on how to move forward with Luguentz Dort.
The Thunder has 14 players on its roster, and two players — Dort and Kevin Hervey—signed to twoway contracts. Teams can have a maximum of 15 players signed to standard contracts and two players on two-way deals for a total of 17 spots.
Two-way players have previously been i neli - gib le for the playoffs, but ESPN's Bobby Marks reported that will change this postseason to give teams an insurance policy if a player gets hurt or tests positive for COVID19 when play resumes.
That rule change significantly impacts Oklahoma City. Dort, who went undrafted after one season at Arizona State, has made 21 starts for the Thunder. The defensive-minded guard has been the most valuable two- way contract player in the NBA this season.
The Thunder has two options if it wants to fill its open roster spot. Both choices involve Dort.
Option 1: Convert Dort's two-way contract into a standard NBA deal.
In this scenario, Dort would fill the final 15-man roster spot, and his promotion would allow the Thunder to sign another player to a two-way deal. The Thunder could bring that new two-way player to Orlando.
Option 2: Keep Dort on a two-way contract and sign a free agent to fill the open spot.
Dort, without a longterm deal, would become a restricted free agent in the off season if the Thunder extends a qualifying offer. It remains to be seen what Dort might draw on the open market, but that' s a point of leverage for the 21-yearold given his upside.
Option 1 is most likely for the Thunder, but it' s worth considering Option 2.
Who's available in free agency? The Thunder lacks experienced wings, especially shooters, so let's start there.
Gerald Green: Green was expected to miss the entire season after having foot surgery. Now, after the long delay, he's among the top players available. The former OSU commit is a career 36% 3-point shooter.
Allen Crabbe: Crabbe, six years younger than Green, is a career 39% shooter from deep. He was waived by the Timber wolves in February.
CJ Miles: The 33-yearold was waived earlier this season after a wrist injury. Miles is a career 36% 3-point shooter, but his last good season came in 2017-18.
There are also bigger names on the market such as DeMarcus Cousins, J. R. Smith and Jam al Crawford.
ESPN's Kevin Pelton mentioned Oklahoma City Blue guard De Vaughn Ako onPurcell as a player that might garner at tention. The former Eastern Oklahoma State standout averaged 17.6 points while shooting 39% from 3-point range in 41 games with the Blue.
Even while considering external options, the Thunder has an internal decision to make with Dort.
Oklahoma City was saving money by waiting to sign Dort to a standard deal. Two-way players, who can spend a maximum of 45 days with their NBA team, don't count against the salary cap. The Thunder is hovering just above the tax line.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti said on June 7 that his hope was to retain Dort.
“We have to just see what the options are and then make our best decision there, but he's clearly someone that we want to have with us going forward, and that would be my expectation,” Presti said.
Dort, after a 15-point performance in late February, smiled nervous ly when asked about his contract status.
“Our organization, they know what they're doing,” Dort said. “I'm really just staying patient and really just playing basketball.”
Dort's patience might soon pay off.