Raptors Reported to be Suitors for Lu Dort Before Trade to Hawks

The Toronto Raptors are in the midst of one of the most important offseasons for the franchise in recent memory. After a seven-game series loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the NBA playoffs, general manager Bobby Webster appeared to be determined to improve the roster so they can advance further in 2027. 

His efforts were exemplified by the attempt to trade for seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard. After winning Finals MVP in 2019 en route to acquiring the Raptors their first and only championship in franchise history, Webster felt there was no better player to take them back to the promised land next to Toronto cornerstone Scottie Barnes. However, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year is unfortunately still being caught up in his scandal with the Los Angeles Clippers and lead sponsor Aspiration, stalling the trade until NBA commissioner Adam Silver establishes a resolution. 

Webster’s attempt to make the blockbuster deal was meaningful to Raptors fans because of his uneventful first trade deadline as the head of basketball operations. There were several rumors around potentially acquiring stars like Anthony Davis, Domantas Sabonis, and more, just to end up staying put with the roster to see the season out. In the previous two midseason deadlines, former executive Masai Ujiri traded away four-time All-Star Pascal Siakam in 2024 (who just called Toronto his home this week), just to then use the return to trade for two-time All-Star Brandon Ingram in 2025. 

Trading season rapidly picked back up this offseason, continuing as recently as this week. Canadian All-Defensive performer Luguentz Dort was traded away from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Atlanta Hawks. After winning a championship in 2025 with the franchise with whom he first signed out of college at Arizona State University, general manager Sam Presti was unable to pay Dort long-term because of the massive contracts for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. 

Atlanta was not the only franchise in pursuit of the 3-and-D wing, though. According to Michael Scotto with HoopsHype, the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Miami Heat, and Raptors all expressed interest in acquiring Dort before ultimately heading to the Hawks. The interesting question to think about for Raptors fans is what Webster offered and why. 

If he were to assume a spot in the starting lineup, the only player that would have had to be in the offer would be RJ Barrett, unless the Raptors planned on starting Barnes at point guard. Barrett should have substantially more value at this point, not to mention he is set to be paid just under $12 million more for next season. From an offensive standpoint, it wouldn’t make sense for the Raptors to take a wing who averaged 11 fewer points per game, while shooting only 34.4% from three. 

It’s not impossible to see the appeal for Webster. Trading for a Canadian All-Defense-level wing to the only NBA franchise in the country seems like a no-brainer move, especially given his recent championship experience. When accounting for his contract, paired with the continued growth in both Barrett and third-year guard Ja’Kobe Walter, the appeal dwindles rapidly. There’s a chance that Webster threw out a low-ball offer to the Thunder, which resulted in Presti moving on to Atlanta for a better offer. 

Now that Dort did not get moved to Toronto, Webster should focus on adding more depth at point guard and center. With Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford allegedly on the trading block, the path is clearing up for the Raptors to continue to solidify the roster before training camp begins.