Viktor Lakhin finally gets NBA opportunity with reigning world champs

NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament - First & Second Rounds - Providence - Practice Day
NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament - First & Second Rounds - Providence - Practice Day | Emilee Chinn/GettyImages

Viktor Lakhin has finally found a new home.

After going through the draft process without hearing his name called, Lakhin has finally signed his first NBA contract after being projected as a second-round pick.

The former Clemson big man is joining forces with the reigning NBA world champs.

It's surprising that he went this long without finding a new home in the NBA, and it almost feels illegal that the Thunder are signing him to join their Summer League team and might even get him on a discounted contract if he performs well enough. The rich just keep getting richer.

Lakhin was one of the top undrafted free agents following the process, and he was one of just two top-100 NBA Draft prospects to go without a contract days after it ended. It's nice to see him getting an opportunity with the Thunder and if he plays the way he's capable of during the Summer League, it would be a shock to no one if he made the roster even on a two-way contract.

At the very least, Lakhin should be getting a G-League shot with a legit shot to get called up to the NBA club throughout the season.

The only unfortunate note regarding Lakhin and this new contract is the fact that he's coming off an injury that was supposed to keep him out 2-3 months but if he's fully healthy, I can see him dominating during the Summer League. He'll be one of the toughest bigs to guard -- just ask the three Duke players drafted in the top 10 this year.

We're all rooting for Viktor.