After veteran wing defender Lu Dort was sent to the Atlanta Hawks, the Oklahoma City Thunder rotation has to adjust to fill the gap.
Speaking on the recent episode of The Draymond Green Show, Green detailed what the Thunder has missed out on after Dort’s departure.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma City guard Cason Wallace could be the new starter for them and fulfill the duty of being a two-way player.
“He’s going to have to step up and take on that challenge a lot more than he’s had to when Lu Dort was there,” Green said.
The Warriors forward emphasized the value of Dort’s defense, who can guard multiple positions and contribute to winning, leading the Thunder into the first seed.
“Number one what this says to me is that Atlanta couldn’t get off Zaccharie Risacher any sooner, like they really wanted to get off him…You know, Lu Dort’s a big loss for OKC, he is one of their better defenders…At times it’s gonna put Jalen Williams on the best perimeter player on the opposing team… Lu Dort can guard bigger guy and smaller guys, I don’t know that Cason Wallace has that versatility,” Green explained.
Wallace finished the 2025-26 season on the All-Defensive Second Team and sixth in the running for DPOY, and swiped away 1.9 steals per game.
Green’s claim towards Wallace might be right, as the Thunder guard should step up to obtain Dort’s role and contribution to the team’s winning momentum in recent seasons.
