Luguentz Dort gets $87.5M for 5 years with the Thunder, ESPN says

Montrealer Luguentz Dort agreed to a five-year, $87.5 million contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday.

This was reported by ESPN, citing his agent Thad Foucher.

The deal represents an average of $17.5 million per season.

On Sunday, the daily The Oklahoman reported that the Thunder intended to validate the one-year option on the Quebecer’s contract.

However, the option would have rather been declined by the club, in the middle of the week.

The option was in the amount of $1.9 million, according to the daily.

« Everyone knows what we see in ‘Lu’ and what he means to the team, » Thunder general manager Sam Presti said recently.

Athlete from Montreal North, Dort joined OKC before the 2019-20 season, as an undrafted player.

In the NCAA, he distinguished himself with Arizona State.

Dort carved out a place for himself in the Thunder’s young core, along with Ontarian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Australian Josh Giddey.

We will also bet on Chet Holmgren, who was drafted second this year.

Last season, Dort set a career-high 17.2 points per game.

He has posted 23.3 points per game in his last six games.

Due to injuries, he did not play beyond February 12, however.

In early March, the Thunder announced their season was over, following left shoulder surgery.

Dort had 130 three-pointers, a team high last season.

In addition, his free throw success rate increased from 74% to 84%, compared to the previous season.

Dort is a good friend of Bennedict Mathurin, who was just drafted sixth overall by the Indiana Pacers.

The NBA has four Quebec players including Chris Boucher and Khem Birch, of the Toronto Raptors.