Over the last several years, the OKC Thunder have essentially treated their G League affiliate as if it were an MLB farm team. From Aaron Wiggins and Ajay Mitchell to Branden Carlson, examples of the club's hidden gems getting their start with the Oklahoma City Blue are a dime a dozen.
Monday, it was announced that Sam Presti and company believe they may have found yet another possible breakout stud through these means in the likes of Payton Sandfort.
Thunder shell out yet another two-way deal, this time to Payton Sandfort
As initially reported by ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania, the Thunder have signed the rookie to a two-way deal for the remainder of the season.
Of course, since they already have the max number of players attached to such a contract (Brooks Barnhizer, Buddy Boeheim, and Carlson), it's all but guaranteed that one of these individuals will have to be moved on from to make room for Sandfort's arrival.
After going unselected in the 2025 NBA Draft, the former Iowa standout joined the Thunder organization via an Exhibit 10 deal, though he was waived in October to be eligible to serve as a full-time player for their G League affiliate.
Following a four-year career with the Hawkeyes, one that saw him wrap with cumulative averages of 12.1 points and 4.6 rebounds on 35.7 percent shooting from deep and earn both Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year and Third-team All-Big Ten honors, Sandfort has now logged 16 games of action with the Blue and, clearly, has done enough to pique Presti's interest in seeing his talents in the big leagues.
In 30.6 minutes a night, the 23-year-old finds himself posting averages of 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while making 3.6 shots per game from beyond the arc.
With his smooth shooting stroke and optimal build for OKC's position-less scheme (6-foot-7, 215 pounds), the logic behind this contractual promotion is rather straightforward, and the hope for Presti and company is presumably that they can develop him in a similar fashion to how they approached the two-way studs that came before him.
Buddy Boeheim likely the odd-man out for Thunder
As mentioned, in order to make room for Sandfort's new two-way pay day, the Thunder will have to part ways with one of the players who are currently attached to such a pact.
Considering Carlson's standout play over the past two seasons and Barnhizer's recent second-round selection status, it's easy to assume that Buddy Boeheim, the latest recipient of a two-way, may be the odd man out among this trio.
Though producing admirably with the development team (16.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.3 steals per game), considering his lack of production in the varsity league (averaging just 1.5 points in 3.8 minutes this year with the Thunder), lack of athleticism, and more advanced age at 26, it seems like an obvious choice for Boeheim to be given the boot in the wake of the Sandfort news.