The Atlanta Hawks traded Zaccharie Risacher and three second-round draft picks to get Luguentz Dort, but the deal opened up a starting role on a title contender for Cason Wallace. The Thunder wanted to dodge the second apron and create more playing time for the second-team All-Defense selection. Wallace played more than Dort in the playoffs and now has a starting role to make him the biggest winner from this trade.
The Hawks bought low on Dort, but the 6’4 wing is coming off a disappointing season. He was first-team All-Defense and shot over 41 percent from 3-point range in 2025 when the Thunder won the championship. Last season, he made just 34.4 percent of his threes and played under 20 minutes per game in the conference finals loss to the Spurs. It is fair to question which version Atlanta is getting in this trade.
The Hawks are all-in on defense and could easily win this trade. Giving up just three second-round draft picks and a former top pick the team lost faith in was a small price to pay for Dort, but nobody benefited more than Wallace.
Cason Wallace was the biggest winner of Hawks' Lu Dort trade
Dort may come off the bench in Atlanta. Dyson Daniels was second-team All-Defense last season, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker won Most Improved Player. They were the Hawks' starting wings with Jalen Johnson locked in at the four. Atlanta likely needs CJ McCollum’s offense more in the opening group than Dort’s defense.
The Thunder traded Dort to make Wallace a starter. The tenth overall pick in 2023 is extension-eligible this summer and figures to land a contract similar to Daniels. Wallace is a career 37.4 percent 3-point shooter who plays stout defense. He has also flashed some playmaking potential. The Hawks are loaded with wing depth, which made it time to move on from Dort.
Wallace moving into the starting five makes Ajay Mitchell their sixth man and creates more playing time for Jared McCain. OKC is loaded and increased their versatility by dumping Dort.
The Hawks have a Dort dilemma to sort out. Oklahoma City exercised a team option to trade the 6’4 wing, which means he comes to Atlanta on an expiring contract. Michael Scotto reported the Hawks want to extend Dort, but they are also set up with financial flexibility if a star becomes available.
The Hawks wisely traded for Dort. He is an upgrade over Risacher and only cost Atlanta three second-rounders. Wallace becoming a starter and soon-to-be rewarded with a new contract makes him the top beneficiary. The Hawks may bring Dort off the bench or trade him for a superstar. There is a lot up in the air for the franchise after this trade, but it solidified things for Wallace and the Thunder.
The Atlanta Hawks gave Cason Wallace a bigger role by trading for Luguentz Dort. It was a bold move that took weeks to come together. The Thunder were happy to send Dort to the Eastern Conference, and Atlanta was eager to improve their defense. Hawks fans should be excited, even though Wallace was the biggest winner from this deal.
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