Poaching from OKC? Lakers reportedly eyeing multiple Thunder players, with Dort being an ideal fit for the purple and gold.

On June 1, NBA insider Sean Deveney reported that the Thunder must address their growing payroll. This means they need to shed salary, making teams with cap space prime trade partners. Several teams have cap room this summer, including the Bulls, Nets, and Lakers. Among Thunder players, the most notable target for the Lakers is 27-year-old forward Lu Dort—he alone could quickly reshape Los Angeles' defensive identity.

Dort and the Lakers are a perfect match.

A Western Conference executive shared this view after the conference finals. "I think the Lakers have to go after a guy like this," he said. "Dort would immediately and completely upgrade their perimeter defense. If there's a chance, they must get him. Perimeter defense has been a weakness for the Lakers for a long time. Even with Luka (Dončić) on the roster, they still need 3-and-D players, and Dort's defense is elite."

The Lakers do have cap space this summer. While many expect them to chase big-name stars, a more realistic approach is to keep their core and add role players. Dort isn't a household name, but he would bring real improvement to the team.

Dort has struggled with his shooting this season.

If the Thunder pick up Dort's $18 million team option, the Lakers could acquire him via trade; if they decline it, he becomes a free agent and L.A. can sign him directly. This works in the Lakers' favor: Dort has shot poorly this season—38.5% from the field and 34.4% from three—so his next contract is likely to fall in the mid-level exception range (around $15 million annually).

Given Dort's elite, tenacious defense, the Lakers won't overthink his shooting struggles. A fully healthy Lakers team already has plenty of scoring. If Dort comes to Los Angeles, maintains his defensive standard, and returns to his career averages (40.5% from the field, 35.8% from three), it would be a successful addition.

The Lakers are also eyeing other Thunder players.

Several other Thunder players are on the Lakers' radar. Aaron Wiggins has a team-friendly $9 million salary next season and fits well stylistically; Isaiah Joe is set to earn $11.3 million and boasts a career 40.3% three-point percentage, making him a trade asset as well.

The executive remarked bluntly about the Thunder: "That team is like a free-agent goldmine—everyone in the league wants to pick players from them." The Lakers are no exception.