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The Oklahoma City Thunder, Atlanta Hawks, and Dallas Mavericks have completed a three-team trade centered around forwards Luguentz Dort and Zaccharie Risacher, ESPN reports.
Atlanta acquired Canadian forward Luguentz Dort from Oklahoma City, known as one of the toughest defenders in the National Basketball Association. The Hawks also received Dallas guard Ryan Nembhard.
Dallas landed former number one overall draft pick Risacher. Oklahoma City, in turn, secured three second-round draft picks, bringing their total to seven second-round selections this summer alone. These picks were accumulated from trades involving Isaiah Joe, who moved to the Detroit Pistons, and Aaron Wiggins, who also went to Atlanta. This strategic move is projected to save the 2025 champions over $224 million in luxury taxes and fees.
A player with Dort's defensive profile has long been a target for Atlanta's management, especially with the team already boasting two other elite defenders in Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. The departure of 21-year-old Risacher is not entirely unexpected, despite him being the first overall pick just two years ago. In his first two NBA seasons, he failed to live up to his potential, averaging only 11.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
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