Ever since they more or less started fresh, the Utah Jazz's defense has been downright lousy. It's pretty much always been the case despite Walker Kessler's abilities. It's abundantly clear that he's only a piece of the puzzle, and that they'll need more than him. If the Jazz plan to win sooner than later, they'll need more defensive personnel, and one player who'd make a lot of sense is Lu Dort.
The Salt Lake Tribune's Andy Larsen mentioned Dort among the Jazz's potential targets, noting that he's in the realm of possibility because the Thunder may not have a choice but to let him go.
"I’d be really interested in Lu Dort in the wake of the Thunder’s semi-inevitable cap crunch after they extend their stars. He becomes a free agent in two years, currently makes $18 million, is only 26 years old, is an All-Defensive first-team guy, and provides effort and defensive hustle you just do not have on this roster right now," Larsen wrote.
The Jazz have loaded up offensively. Lauri Markkanen looks like Lauri Markkanen again (if not more so). Keyonte George is a shoo-in to be the NBA's Most Improved Player. It's only a matter of time until Ace Bailey is right there with them. Austin Reaves would be a nice, but a plus defender he is not.
That is where Dort would come in. He has been one of the league's best perimeter defenders for some time now. He started with the league's reigning champs and played a role in their rise to the juggernaut they have become.
Alas, because of the NBA's strict cap rules, the Thunder know they can't keep their current roster as is. They've also invested in their three best players - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren - which means some of their other players will have to go to avoid the ramifications of the cap aprons.
Like anyone in their shoes, they would prefer not to get rid of Dort, but they may not have a choice.
Dort could be a free agent this summer
Dort has a team option for 2027. His contract is inexpensive ($18.2 million), but the Thunder know by now that Jalen Williams' mammoth extension kicks in this summer, which will make their salary cap all the more expensive. To avoid the tax aprons, some players may get the axe, and Dort could definitely be one ot the candidates.
Isaiah Hartenstein makes a lot more ($28.5 million), so he would be more likely. It's also possible that the Thunder may exercise Dort's option but may also try to trade him for anything they can get before risking losing him for nothing.
If the Jazz's free agency pursuits don't work out, they could use that John Collins TPE ($18.3 million) to absorb Dort's contract. It's actually pretty mind-blowing it would be for the Jazz to make this happen.
Like Kessler, Dort wouldn't be the end-all, be-all piece that magically transforms Utah's defense, but he would be a huge step in the right direction. Adding him would be Utah signaling how serious they are about forming a title contender.