After opening this season with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s main roster, Semaj Christon has been assigned to the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, OKC Blue.

Christon’s spot on Oklahoma City’s roster was made expendable by the return of second-year guard Cameron Payne. Payne’s 16-17' debut for OKC came in a Nov. 7 win vs. Denver.

Since rejoining the Thunder, the 22-year-old Payne has averaged 3.3 ppg and 1.7 apg, while playing 13 minutes per night. Though Oklahoma City’s 2015 lottery pick fared well vs. the Nuggets, he floundered in reserve duty against both Chicago and Memphis.

The Thunder has assigned guard Semaj Christon to the @okcblue. — Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) January 12, 2017

Payne has made just one of his last nine attempts from the field. Even with Payne’s struggles, OKC brass has decided to assign the rookie Christon.

In 36 regular-season contests, Christon has posted averages of 3.2 ppg and 2.5 apg. Along with Payne’s re-emergence as backup point guard, Christon’s poor 34.5/17.9/47.4 shooting split factored heavily into his falling out of the back-court rotation.

The 24-year-old Christon was selected 55th overall in the 2014 Draft by the Miami Heat. Later that Summer, Christon joined Oklahoma City’s Summer League roster and played 44 games that season for the team’s Development League affiliate.

After spending 15-16 competing overseas, the 6’3 Christon was officially signed by OKC over the offseason. The former Xavier standout surprised many by making the Oklahoma City Thunder roster ahead of veteran Ronnie Price — as Cameron Payne convalesced from foot injury.

Just before his assignment, it was reported by Fred Katz of the Oklahoman that Christon’s contract had been picked up by OKC through the remainder of this season.