Luguentz Dort, Thunder Agree to 5-Year, $87.5M Contract in NBA Free Agency

Luguentz Dort has signed a five-year contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to his agent.

After the team option on Dort's contract was declined, he became a restricted free agent and was able to negotiate a new deal.

Over the first three years of his career, the player made an estimated $3.5 million, but he is now expected to make $17.5 million over the next five seasons.

The team's plan was to pick up the cheaper option and negotiate a new deal in 2023, according to the initial statement from the general manager.

Presti told reporters last week that everyone knows how they feel about Lu. He will be a free agent after next season, and we will have the ability to talk to him.

The change in strategy will lead to a significant raise next year, but it keeps the guard under team control for an extended period of time.

Dort averaged 17.4 points and 4.2 rebound per game last season in the NBA. He sets a career high with a.493 effective field goal percentage.

His defensive work helped him earn a two-way contract and eventually play in the playoffs. In the playoffs, he started all six games with Chris Paul.

Dort became a bigger part of the offense when Oklahoma City began its rebuild.

The young core built by Gilgeous-Alexander, Dort, Josh Giddey and the rest of the team will hopefully get the team closer to the playoffs.