OKC Thunder: Lu Dort Could be a Sleeper for Defensive Player of the Year

Despite being one of the top defenders in the league, Lu Dort remains an under-the-radar pick for Defensive Player of the Year.

For his entire career, Lu Dort has been harassing opposing teams with his lockdown defense.

Not only has Dort been the best defender for Oklahoma City, but he’s been one of the better defenders in the league.

Despite being a well-known defender, Dort didn’t place in the top 12 of voting for the Defensive Player of the Year last season. For that matter, since entering the league, Dort has not finished in the top 12 of voting for the award ever despite being tabbed as one of the top perimeter defenders in the league by coaches and players alike.

Statistically, Dort’s defense goes under the radar, though he did average a steal per game last season. Dort’s best work is done on the ball by forcing players to pass out of certain situations or by completely stopping the ball from getting to a certain player, especially at the 3-point line.

The importance of his defense was clear last season. Despite obvious offensive struggles, Dort continued to be a mainstay in lineups and didn’t lose much playing time as a result of his struggles. OKC had the No. 13 defensive rating in the NBA last season, and Dort was a major contributor to that.

With the Thunder’s lineup getting even deeper and better defensively, Dort’s defense could be seen on a bigger stage giving him more of a chance to be in the Defensive Player of the Year running.

Dort, though, is at an automatic disadvantage to win the award as a backcourt player. Since Dort entered the league in the 2019-20 season only one guard has won the award: Marcus Smart in 2021-22. Other than that, the award has been controlled by the frontcourt players of the league.

Dort winning the award is a longshot, and the betting odds agree. But it’s not out of the cards. Caesar’s has Dort’s odds at +5000 as the season approaches. Dort’s odds are behind Chet Holmgren (+2000) as far as OKC is ranked in the odds with Jaren Jackson Jr. (+600) as the current favorite amongst most sites.

Dort is a sleeper in the eyes of the league for DPOY, but his ability speaks for itself. And with the right stage, he could find himself in the conversation to win the award. 

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