ESPN CONFIRMED: In a stunning turn of events that has left fans across the desert buzzing with emotion, Oklahoma city thunder head coach Mark Daigneault has officially announced that star Guard Luguentz Dort  will be the new….see more

.            In a stunning turn of events that has left fans across the desert buzzing with emotion, Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault has officially announced that star guard Luguentz Dort will be the team’s new captain for the 2025–26 NBA season.

 

The announcement came early Thursday morning following the team’s practice at the Paycom Center, with Daigneault praising Dort’s leadership, consistency, and relentless defensive energy as reasons behind the decision.

 

> “Lu represents everything we want this franchise to stand for,” Daigneault said. “He’s earned the respect of everyone in this locker room — not because of what he says, but because of how he plays every single night.”

 

 

 

Dort, 26, has been with Oklahoma City since going undrafted in 2019 and has developed into one of the NBA’s premier perimeter defenders. Known for his physicality and determination, he’s become a cornerstone of the Thunder’s young core alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams.

 

While the Thunder have long been seen as SGA’s team, Daigneault clarified that the captaincy reflects more than just star power — it’s about daily accountability and setting the tone for a maturing roster.

 

> “This group feeds off Lu’s energy,” Daigneault added. “When he dives for a loose ball or takes on the toughest assignment, it sends a message. That’s leadership.”

 

 

 

Dort, humble as ever, said the honor caught him by surprise.

 

> “I’m grateful, man,” Dort said with a smile. “I came into this league just trying to prove I belonged. To be named captain of this team means a lot — not just to me, but to my family, to Montreal, to everyone who believed in me.”

 

 

 

Fans and teammates alike have taken to social media to show support, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posting, “Nobody deserves it more. That’s our guy.”

 

With Dort now officially taking on a leadership mantle, expectations are soaring in Oklahoma City. The Thunder enter the season as one of the Western Conference’s fastest-rising contenders — and with Dort’s defensive tenacity leading the charge, the sky’s the limit