Chet Holmgren’s Four-Word Reaction to Lu Dort Trade Says Everything

The Oklahoma City Thunder made a painful financial decision Sunday, sending fan-favorite Lu Dort to the Atlanta Hawks in a three-team deal that also involved the Dallas Mavericks. And Chet Holmgren’s response? Four crossed-finger emojis on an Instagram Story of his now-former teammate. That’s it. That’s all he needed to say.

The trade clears massive cap space for OKC. Dort, along with Ryan Nembhard (who came from Dallas in the deal), goes to Atlanta. The Thunder get three second-round picks back. Dallas lands Zaccharie Risacher from the Hawks. This move, combined with earlier departures of Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe, has shed about $200 million in future salary for Oklahoma City.

Why Dort mattered so much

Dort wasn’t just a rotation guy. He was the heart of the Thunder’s rise from rebuild to contender. Undrafted in 2019, he stayed in OKC longer than anyone else on the roster. Fans watched him grind from a benchwarmer to a consistent starter who made All-Defensive First Team in 2025. His 3-and-D role and veteran presence were huge for a young team that needed a tone-setter.

General manager Sam Presti admitted the move was about money, not want. He told The Oklahoman’s Justin Martinez it was a tough call, plain and simple.

“I remember meeting Lu at the practice facility door the morning after he went undrafted. I showed him around and we had breakfast together. He didn’t touch his food. I just remember saying to him that this was the beginning and not the end,” Presti said. “I love the guy, love what he’s about, and we will miss him.”

Holmgren’s quiet goodbye

Holmgren, who signed a max rookie extension in 2025, kept his reaction simple. The emoji post, shared by Thunder Wire’s Clemente Almanza, didn’t need words. It was a clear nod to Dort grit, hustle, and the bond they built. Dort was 27 at the time of the trade, and his departure leaves a real hole in the Thunder’s identity.

OKC now has the financial flexibility to chase other moves, but losing a guy like Dort is the kind of thing that can mess with a locker room. Presti knows it. The fans know it. And judging by Holmgren’s post, the players know it too.