What should Thunder fans expect to see from Luguentz Dort this season?
It’s well known that the NBA evaluates players by their potential ceilings, which is probably one of the reasons that the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Dort was signed to a two-way contract by Oklahoma City shortly after going undrafted back in June.
The 20-year-old Dort left Arizona State after just a single season. Dort broke the Sun Devils’ freshman debut record with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 3 steals in his first ever collegiate game. For the year, Dort averaged 16.1 points and 4.3 rebounds, which was good enough to earn him All-PAC 12 Second Team, PAC-12 All-Defense Team, PAC-12 All-Freshman Team and PAC-12 Freshman of the Year honors.
Not too shabby.
With his height and a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Dort possesses an NBA-ready body. Defensively, he has the potential to be a matchup nightmare as he’s able to step out and guard on the perimeter while also moving inside to put a body on forwards.
Offensively, Dort is still a little rough, as most rookies are. Fans should expect him to be a rim-runner early on, finishing with layups or dunks.
Dort did show improved shooting with the Thunder’s Summer League team in Las Vegas, however, averaging 8.6 points, 1.8 rebounds and .8 steals in five games.
With his two-way contract, Dort should see plenty of playing time, especially with the Thunder’s G League affiliate, the OKC Blue.
Thanks in part to his defensive potential, if Dort can perform consistently, Nick Crain of Forbes, believes that he could move to full contract mid-season like the Thunder did with Deonte Burton in 2018-19.
