The Oklahoma City Thunder made another adjustment to their training camp roster by bringing in wing Payton Sandfort, according to the team’s communications staff. To clear space, the Thunder have waived Viktor Lakhin, as reported by Keith Smith of Spotrac.
Sandfort, an undrafted rookie from Iowa, started all 33 games last season and averaged 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 31.9 minutes per game. Over four years with the Hawkeyes, he appeared in 134 games and grew into a reliable starter over his final two seasons.
Reports shortly after the draft indicated Sandfort would sign an Exhibit 10 contract with Oklahoma City, and that signing has now been made official.
Exhibit 10 deals are commonly used to funnel players to the G League, and Sandfort is expected to be waived before the regular season and join the Oklahoma City Blue. If he remains there for at least 60 days, he becomes eligible for a bonus of up to 85,300 euros.
Lakhin, who was just signed to a camp deal on Sunday, will also likely land with the Blue after waivers are processed. Ranked third on ESPN’s list of 2025 undrafted prospects, he played three years at Cincinnati before transferring to Clemson for his senior season.
In 34 games there, he averaged 11.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steal, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 50.7 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from three, and 69.6 percent from the line.
The 6-foot-11 forward-center suffered a torn tendon in his left foot in May, affecting his availability for camp. For now, both Sandfort and Lakhin are viewed as development candidates for the Thunder’s G League system rather than immediate contributors to the main roster.
Thunder Add Sandfort, Waive Lakhin https://t.co/fZTAsrskJf pic.twitter.com/r4ShsRCMs5
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) October 13, 2025
