When (choosing to be optimistic here) the NBA season returns, one of the questions facing the Oklahoma City Thunder will be what to do with two-way player, Lu Dort.
Prior to the league-wide suspension, there was a lot of conversation about when the Thunder would convert Dort’s contract to a standard NBA contract, a move that, as of Feb. 23, ESPN reporter Royce Young believed would come in “the next few weeks”.
Dort’s meteoric rise from a guy splitting time between the NBA and the G League to a guy solidly entrenched in the Thunder’s starting rotation was built on his defensive tenacity. The rookie tackled some of the league’s toughest defensive assignments, especially shining in an outing against James Harden.
His offensive skills are still improving, and Elias Sbiet, Director of Recruiting at North Pole Hoops, told NBA.com that Dort reminds him of the Celtics’ Marcus Smart.
“I think one thing that he (Dort) will be able to wear his hat on is going to be the defensive prowess that he’s been showing. I don’t think that his skill set transition as well into the NBA as other guys at his size – he’s a Marcus Smart type mold. Marcus Smart has found a way in the NBA by being a grind it out type of guy – started his career by being a defensive guy as well and now he’s evolved.”
However, the Thunder’s veteran point guard, Chris Paul, has already eluded to the fact that Dort is much more than a defensive player, citing how he did the little things that went unnoticed in a win over Denver at the end of February.
Dort has also at times shown a scorer’s mentality, going for a career-high 23 points with no assists in a win over the Sacramento Kings.
Standard contract or not, Dort’s rookie season can be considered successful, and Sbiet believes that it’s a solid base upon which Dort can build a sustainable career.
“So I think if (Dort) can hold on to this role for a couple of seasons and then build on his skills set throughout the years – get a more consistent three-point shot, then he’ll have a spot in the league for a very long time.”
Hopefully, that spot continues to be with the Oklahoma City Thunder.