Thunder’s Sam Presti says Lu Dort trade came down to finances

The Thunder didn’t trade Luguentz Dort because they stopped believing in him. They traded him because the numbers no longer worked. Speaking with Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman, Thunder general manager Sam Presti acknowledged the deal that sent Dort to the Hawks was driven by Oklahoma City’s financial outlook rather than basketball concerns. “This was a financial decision,” Presti said. Presti explained that the organization’s recent luxury-tax savings, combined with new revenue streams, should help position the Thunder to keep their championship-caliber roster together over the coming years. “The impression I have been given is that the savings generated this…