Payton Sandfort
#14SF · Oklahoma City Thunder
Height
6'8"
Weight
215 lbs
Age
23
College
Iowa
Experience
0 yrs
Wingspan
6'8.0"
Reach
8'8.0"
Hand Size
8.5" × 9"
C+
D+
D+
—
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsD+
| Year | Team | GP | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | FG% | 3PT% | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 4 | 8.8 | 2.5 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 50.0% | 41.2% | 50.0% |
| 2025-26 | | 4 | 8.8 | 2.5 | 0.0 |
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3PT | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon, 4/13 | vs PHX | L 103-135 | 28 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9-13 | 5-9 | +3 |
| Sat, 4/11 | @ DEN | L 107-127 | 28 | 8 |
Performance Analysis
D+
#69 of 119 Small Forwards
FCA+
Payton Sandfort earns a D+ Performance grade, indicating below-average production relative to other NBA small forwards this season. Through 4 games, Payton is contributing 8.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 0.0 assists per game in his role. Payton's strongest area is FG% at 50.0, which compares favorably to the small forward median of 46.0. The biggest area for growth is RPG at 2.5 (small forward median: 5.0). Among 119 NBA small forwards graded this season, Payton ranks 69th. At 23, Payton is still developing. The production should improve as he gains experience and a larger role with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Current Sentiment
D+
Negative
NegativeNeutralPositive
Payton Sandfort's public perception sits at a D+ — modest at best, and largely disconnected from the Thunder's status as the Western Conference's top seed heading into the playoffs. The narrative driving what goodwill he does have is almost entirely off-court: his overnight trip to surprise brother Pryce Sandfort during Nebraska's first March Madness win generated a wave of genuine warmth across both NBA and college basketball circles, establishing him as a high-character, family-first figure in a way that four games of two-way minutes simply cannot. That human-interest moment is doing heavy lifting for a player whose on-court standing — also graded D+ through the 2025-26 season — reflects a developmental prospect still auditioning for a standard roster spot, not a contributor making a real impact on a 64-win team. The Thunder's recent roster churn, including the release and re-signing of Buddy Boeheim and the cut of Mason Plumlee, signals an organization actively fine-tuning its depth, which only underscores how little margin exists for two-way players who haven't yet forced their way into the rotation. The bottom line is that Sandfort's narrative is quietly sympathetic but fragile — built on likability and Oklahoma City's reputation for player development rather than anything he's produced between the lines, and with the NBA Finals now less than 50 days away, the window to change that story this season is effectively closed.
Transaction History
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