The Lakers have officially set their sights on a top-tier 3-and-D player, even though his team just eliminated them from the playoffs, and the two sides have already made contact.

According to NBA reporter Michael Scotto, numerous teams are keeping a close eye on the possibility of the Thunder trading Luguentz Dort. Dort carries a $18.22 million team option for the upcoming season, and multiple front-office executives who spoke with him anticipate that the Thunder will exercise that option and later explore trading him. Should this scenario unfold, the Lakers are among several teams with interest in acquiring Dort.

Dort is considered the top available 3-and-D player on this summer's trade market.The Score released its list of the top 25 free agents this summer, with Dort ranked 10th, behind LeBron James, Jalen Duren, Austin Reaves, James Harden, Trae Young, Norman Powell, Zach LaVine, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Ayo Dosunmu.

This past season, Dort appeared in 69 regular-season games, all starts, averaging 26.8 minutes per game with 8.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, shooting 38.5% from the field and 34.4% from three-point range. In the playoffs, he averaged 22.3 minutes, 5.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, shooting 36.6% from the field and 30.8% from deep.

Three weeks ago, NBA reporter Sean Deveney reported that one Western Conference executive stated,"If the Lakers want to fix their perimeter defense while building around Luka Dončić, Dort is a must-sign target for them."The reporter added: "I think if I were the Lakers' front office, I would go all-in for a player like this. A guy like Dort can completely transform a team's perimeter defense the moment he joins. If there's a chance to get him, you have to do it. The Lakers' perimeter defense has been terrible for too long, and with Luka on the roster, you absolutely need 3-and-D players. Dort's level is far beyond that of an ordinary 3-and-D guy."

ClutchPoints reports that, according to multiple sources, the Lakers have already reached out to the Thunder to discuss the possibility of trading for Dort, who is widely recognized as one of the league's top perimeter stoppers.

The appeal of this potential trade is obvious.

Dort has built a reputation for guarding the opposing team's best offensive player every night. Whether it's elite guards, superstar forwards, or playoff scorers, coaches trust him with the toughest defensive assignment in crunch time.

For the Lakers, Dort would be an excellent fit with the team.

With Luka expected to carry a heavy offensive load, adding a dedicated defensive specialist would help balance the lineup on both ends of the floor.

Of course, the biggest challenge in this trade is convincing the Thunder to let him go.

The Thunder have built a deep roster over several years, and Dort is a core part of that team's identity. He is not just a defender; he is one of the emotional leaders of a championship-contending squad.

But contenders are always looking for ways to improve.

Once a player like Dort becomes even theoretically available, teams will proactively call to inquire about a deal.

And the Lakers are doing exactly that.

NBA reporter Jake Fischer reports that the Lakers have contacted the Thunder to ask about Dort's price.

This season, the Lakers ranked 19th in the league with a defensive rating of 116.4 during the regular season. However, adding Dort could improve their defense by having him cover for Luka's weaknesses.

As for what it would take to acquire Dort, the Lakers will need to get creative. Since Vanderbilt and Knecht are unlikely to excite the Thunder, Pelinka may need to find a third team to facilitate a deal so that the Lakers don't have to trade away Reaves or Rui Hachimura. Fortunately, the Lakers have plenty of draft picks to sweeten the offer.

Ultimately, Dort's impact could raise the team's ceiling. The Lakers still need to find a reliable big man, but acquiring Dort would be a major step in the right direction. It's hard to imagine any player who could more directly address the Lakers' current needs than him.