It's been three days since the 2025 NBA Draft ended and one familiar name has yet to find his new home at the professional level despite being projected as a second-round pick.
Viktor Lakhin was expecting to hear his name called at some point near the end of the second round, but the Clemson big man has gone three days without even signing a contract with an NBA team.
The Tigers' big man has been waiting to hear his phone ring since the draft ended, but it seems like he hasn't yet reached a deal. This is especially surprising considering Chase Hunter has already signed an Exhibit-10 contract with the New Orleans Pelicans and Lakhin remains one of just two top-100 NBA Draft prospects to not have a deal signed yet.
Why is this?
Nothing has been made public regarding the reason for him being unsigned still, but my best guess would be injury concerns. Shortly after the season and the Portsmouth Invitational where he starred, news broke that he suffered an injury that would require a three-month recovery time and that likely scared some potential suitors off. He's going to ink a deal at some point (my guess would be a two-way contract), but it's up to him and his agent to reassure teams that the injury isn't a concern.
Lakhin was one of the most skilled bigs in the ACC last season and had arguably his best game against a Duke team with three top-10 picks. If that's not enough to give him a chance, I don't know what is. Someone needs to sign this man.
Unfortunately, it looks like the injury may have been more concerning than originally expected.