Hawks Test Lu Dort at Power Forward as Aaron Wiggins Joins Atlanta

Atlanta is exploring a different way to strengthen its frontcourt for the 2026-27 NBA season, with coach Quin Snyder deploying Lu Dort at backup power forward during the preseason. The move adds physicality and defensive versatility to a Hawks team seeking to advance in the Eastern Conference, while newly acquired Aaron Wiggins offers additional depth after helping the Oklahoma City Thunder win the NBA championship.

Dort, listed by Basketball Reference at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, spent seven seasons playing shooting guard and small forward for Oklahoma City. Atlanta is now testing whether his strength, perimeter defense and outside shooting can compensate for the size disadvantage he faces against traditional power forwards.

According to Soaring Down South, Snyder used a nine-man rotation in the preseason finale against the Dallas Mavericks without Asa Newell, Zuby Ejiofor or Mouhamed Gueye filling the backup power forward role. Dort instead received minutes at the position, signaling a potential change in Atlanta's rotation.

The experiment follows Atlanta's emphasis on improving its physicality under president of basketball operations Onsi Saleh and Snyder. Dort also started against the Indiana Pacers when Nickeil Alexander-Walker rested, defending Pascal Siakam while Jalen Johnson took on Aaron Nesmith and Kelly Oubre Jr.

Dort shot 34.4% from 3-point range on 5.4 attempts per game last season, according to Soaring Down South. He had converted 41.2% and 39.4% of his 3-point attempts in the two preceding seasons, giving Atlanta reason to expect improved floor spacing if his outside shooting returns to those levels.

The lineup carries risks against taller frontcourts. Cleveland could challenge Dort with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, while Miami's pairing of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo presents another demanding matchup. Snyder may need to adjust defensive assignments or use Dyson Daniels and Onyeka Okongwu against larger opponents.

Atlanta's broader defensive approach also drew support from Peachtree Hoops contributors, who identified Dort as the team's most impactful offseason addition. They pointed to his ability to defend difficult assignments, provide toughness and complement Daniels and Alexander-Walker on the perimeter.

One contributor noted that the New York Knicks had exposed Atlanta's struggles with physicality in the playoffs. Dort's championship experience with Oklahoma City was viewed as another asset for a Hawks team aiming to take the next step, although concerns remain about combining Dort and Daniels in late-game situations because of their postseason shooting struggles.

Wiggins, meanwhile, is expected to provide value beyond his role as a reserve scorer. The 27-year-old guard joined Atlanta after spending five seasons with Oklahoma City, where he developed from the No. 55 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft into a regular rotation player.

According to The Oklahoman, Wiggins averaged career highs of 12 points and 3.9 rebounds during the 2024-25 season. His development reflected coach Mark Daigneault's emphasis on shot selection, efficiency and contributions across multiple areas, including off-ball movement and team defense.

Wiggins recalled that Daigneault challenged him to reconsider his approach after an inefficient start to his professional career. During five Summer League appearances, Wiggins shot 42.6% from the field and 20% from 3-point range, prompting discussions about taking better shots and making decisions that benefited the team.

"I remember Mark pulling me aside," Wiggins said to The Oklahoman. "He was just telling me, 'If you're going to be a good player, you've got to be more efficient. Some of these shots, you've got to consider how good they are for the team.'

We were able to slow things down, pull things back and watch film. I was able to just learn about the efficiency landscape. It was never anything I really considered before making it to the NBA.

A lot of my game was just being a hooper and scoring the ball, so when I got here I learned a lot."

That adjustment helped Wiggins move from a two-way contract to a standard NBA deal and eventually become a key contributor to Oklahoma City's championship run. He described his former team as the starting point of his professional development and expressed gratitude for the opportunities he received there.

"OKC was the beginning chapter of my career," Wiggins said. "It was time well spent for me, being a second-round draft pick and establishing myself in the NBA. The opportunity that I had was one that I'm super grateful for. ... There are a lot of things I've taken from being in Oklahoma to put myself in a position to be where I am today."

Wiggins' departure also prompted an emotional farewell from Oklahoma City residents. After his trade to Atlanta on June 21, neighborhood children visited his home to offer good wishes, while his mother continued greeting visitors during his offseason training trip.

Wiggins said the response reflected the close relationship he had built with the community during his five seasons with the Thunder. He remained connected with his mother through FaceTime as residents stopped by to say goodbye.

"I let them know that I'll miss them," Wiggins told The Oklahoman. "It just goes to show how great the people and the community out there are. It's special."

Wiggins also credited Oklahoma City's culture with shaping his experience. His introduction to the city included a visit to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum with the Thunder's 2021 draft class, a team tradition honoring the 168 people killed in the 1995 Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing.

"There's just a togetherness mentality that Oklahomans have, especially after the bombing occurred," Wiggins said. "There's just an 'I've got your back' mentality that exists over there. You can feel it in the arena or when you go to a grocery store.

Everybody there is super polite. It's just an amazing city."

Wiggins also spoke during Oklahoma City's championship celebration on June 24, 2025, recalling the team's 24-win season during his rookie year and the supporters who remained with the franchise throughout its rebuilding period. His move to Atlanta reunites him with Dort, another member of the championship-winning Thunder group, as the Hawks reshape their roster for the new season.