
via Imago
Thunder guard Lu Dort led the league in drawing offensive fouls last season, with 57 fouls drawn. Thunder

via Imago
Thunder guard Lu Dort led the league in drawing offensive fouls last season, with 57 fouls drawn. Thunder
Luguentz Dort may not be the flashiest name in the league, but he’s definitely cashing NBA-level checks now. In 2025, the Oklahoma City Thunder are paying him over $17 million for the season. That’s part of a long-term deal he signed a few years ago after proving his value on both ends of the floor.
From starting his career undrafted to locking in serious money, Dort’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Off the court, he’s also pulled in extra income through endorsements; most notably with Adidas, a brand he’s been tied to since his younger days.
With all this in motion, his estimated net worth sits at around $7 million in 2025. Not bad for someone who entered the league with no guarantees. And with his current pace, that number’s only going up.
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Luguentz Dort’s Contract Breakdown
Lu Dort didn’t hear his name on draft night in 2019; but that didn’t stop him. The Oklahoma City Thunder picked him up on a two-way contract, and just months later, he forced his way into the rotation with hard-nosed defense. Fast forward to July 2022: OKC rewarded him with a 5-year, $82.5 million deal, locking him in as a key piece of their rebuild.
In 2025, Dort is in the fourth year of that deal and set to earn $17.7 million, all guaranteed. His entire contract was signed using Bird Rights and includes a team option in the final year. So far, he’s earned over $50 million just from NBA salaries.
Here’s a breakdown of his contract year by year:
What’s your perspective on:
From undrafted to $82.5 million—Is Lu Dort the most underrated defender in the NBA today?
Have an interesting take?
2022–23 | 23 | $15,277,778 | $15,277,778 | Yes |
2023–24 | 24 | $15,277,778 | $15,277,778 | Yes |
2024–25 | 25 | $16,500,000 | $16,500,000 | Yes |
2025–26 | 26 | $17,722,222 | $17,722,222 | Yes |
2026–27* | 27 | $17,722,222 | $17,722,222 | Club Option |
A look at Lu Dort’s salary
Lu Dort wasn’t even drafted back in 2019. He entered the league with nothing guaranteed; just a two-way contract and a shot. But within months, he made a name for himself in Oklahoma City with elite defense and pure hustle. It didn’t take long before the Thunder realized his worth.
After proving he belonged, Dort’s rookie deal was upgraded in 2020. Then in July 2022, OKC gave him the real bag; a 5-year deal worth $82.5 million. Fast forward to 2025, and he’s now earning $17.7 million for the season, with over $50 million already banked in total NBA salary.
From undrafted to becoming a cornerstone of a young OKC core, Dort’s journey is built on grit. His current salary is a direct reflection of that grind; and the Thunder’s belief that he’s more than just a role player.
Lu Dort’s Current Salary Breakdown
2023 | $15,277,778 |
2024 | $16,500,000 |
2025 | $17,722,222 |
Lu Dort contract projections
Looking ahead, Lu Dort’s future with the Thunder could get complicated. Why? The team just gave Alex Caruso a 4-year, $81 million extension; the max deal he could get. And while that locks in another elite defender, it also tightens OKC’s wallet heading into 2026.
Dort, who’s currently earning around $17.7 million for the 2025–26 season, will be eligible for a new deal soon after. Based on his consistent two-way impact and improved efficiency, he could ask for something similar or even bigger than Caruso’s number. And frankly, he might deserve it.
But here’s the catch: by 2026, OKC will also need to lock up Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams; two cornerstone players likely headed for rookie max extensions. Add Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s massive deal, and the salary cap suddenly starts squeezing.
So, while Dort’s next contract could land in the $20M-per-year range, it might not 90-be in Oklahoma City unless they clear room.
What is Lu Dort’s net worth? Does he have any brand endorsements?
Luguentz Dort may not have his own signature shoe yet; but his presence in the sneaker game is undeniable. In 2024, Dort inked a standout endorsement deal with Adidas, the same brand he’s been loyal to since his AAU days. That long-term connection paid off when he was rewarded with his own Adidas Harden Vol. 9 PE; dubbed the “Metal of Honor.” The shoe honors a youth program from his hometown of Québec and features gold, black, and blue accents with his personal “LD” insignia on the tongue and heel.
Lu Dort is debuting his new adidas Harden Vol. 9 PE against the Nuggets pic.twitter.com/hfV20y7pjr
— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) March 9, 2025
Earlier, he also fronted the Adidas Z.N.E. Sportswear collection, a lifestyle drop that mixed streetwear with his on-court identity. These collaborations reflect more than just fashion; they’re a sign of Dort’s rising market value. While he isn’t on the level of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Converse signature line just yet, Dort’s Adidas partnership proves he’s building a strong off-court brand presence too.
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Luguentz Dort’s Professional Career
Lu Dort’s basketball story isn’t your typical NBA script; it’s a gritty, against-the-odds climb that started at Arizona State. After just one season with the Sun Devils, the Canadian guard took a leap, betting on himself in the 2019 NBA Draft. The night, however, didn’t go as planned. Cameras kept circling, expectations buzzed, but Dort’s name never echoed through the Barclays Center. Undrafted. Crushed. But not broken. What followed was a relentless grind: a two-way contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder, G League stints, and then; an opening. With injuries hitting the roster, Dort got his shot. And he never looked back.

USA Today via Reuters
Apr 13, 2021; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Luguentz Dort (5) reacts after a basket in the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Now, six years later, Dort isn’t just a feel-good story. He’s the defensive anchor of the NBA’s top-ranked defense, a player whose physicality and footwork terrorize ball handlers nightly. From guarding James Harden in the 2020 Bubble playoffs as a rookie to becoming a full-time starter, he’s built a résumé that screams elite. He averaged over 17 points during OKC’s rebuild, yet when the team pivoted to contention, he adapted. Less shots, more impact. And through it all? Defense. Relentless, grimy, no-friends-on-the-court defense. This season, as OKC fights for a title, Dort’s finally inching toward the individual recognition he’s long deserved: All-Defensive team votes, Defensive Player of the Year buzz, and most importantly, respect.
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Conclusion
Lu Dort’s story isn’t just about defense; it’s about defiance. From going undrafted to becoming the tone-setter on a championship-contending team, Dort has carved his path through sheer will and relentless effort. Now, with Oklahoma City sitting at the top of the West and boasting a historic defense, Dort is finally in position to earn the individual recognition he’s long deserved. Whether it’s an All-Defensive Team nod or even a Defensive Player of the Year vote, one thing’s for sure: Lu Dort’s impact can no longer be ignored.
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From undrafted to $82.5 million—Is Lu Dort the most underrated defender in the NBA today?