Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will reportedly decide Lu Dort's future with the OKC Thunder

After losing to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Finals, the Oklahoma City Thunder will need to make adjustments. With Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams' long-term deals kicking in, Sam Presti and the front office have to decide which players they are sticking with.

The Thunder have team options for Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort. By declining those options, the Thunder can have more cap space to work with. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said he might not get involved, Presti might need to ask him a significant question in the offseason.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might be the deciding factor for a Lu Dort return

Over the years, Gilgeous-Alexander and Dort have been the mainstays. They are the only players who have been with the team since 2019, so they have grown together through the rough period and the championship.

Unfortunately, the Thunder deem Gilgeous-Alexander as the only untouchable among the longest-tenured duo on the team. SGA himself might be the one who makes the call on whether they let go of Dort or not.

MORE: Lu Dort wants to stay with the OKC Thunder, but it is not his decision

Letting go of Dort is a logical move because they can use the cap space to make moves in the offseason. Dort has not been as effective as he was before, especially with Cason Wallace emerging as a top-tier defender.

"I was told, though, that Shai was playing a little bit coy there. He will at least remind Sam Presti and the Thunder management just how much he values having Lu Dort as his teammate," Tim MacMahon said on ESPN's NBA Today.

Gilgeous-Alexander will have to weigh his options because he is a close friend of Dort's. Not only do they play on the Thunder together, but they are also Team Canada teammates.

It will be a tough decision no matter what, but sticking with Dort still has its perks. There is also an option that Dort finds a reworked deal with Presti and the front office, but it is a slippery slope because he would love another big deal.

More NBA news:

• Sam Presti and the Thunder will be sticking with Chet Holmgren
• Chet Holmgren is ready to use his WCF struggles to motivate him in the future
• Cason Wallace admits that the Spurs are still a 'beatable' team after the WCF
• Jalen Williams believes the Spurs are another version of the Thunder
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reveals that he plans on not giving any input for Sam Presti's offseason moves