How a second-round pick from UC Santa Barbara has risen into the spotlight. What does Ajay Mitchell’s breakthrough mean for the Oklahoma City Thunder moving forward?
We’re a week into the 2025-26 NBA season, and we’ve been blessed with high-level hoops —from multiple 50-point games to the birth of something this game has never seen: the latest superstar in San Antonio, Victor Wembanyama.
Well, over in Oklahoma City, here’s a name the national audience isn’t quite familiar with —get used to it: Ajay Mitchell.
The 29 opposing organizations have to be tired of the Sam Presti effect, as he worked his magic once again, as the Thunder moved up to acquire the draft rights to Mitchell from the New York Knicks (the 38th pick) in exchange for the draft rights to Oso Ighodaro and cash. The talent that the Thunder’s front office has found and developed in the second round has been such a luxury. This begs the question: how are the Thunder able to get away with this?
The Ascension of Ajay Mitchell Is Pivotal for the Thunder’s Success
On his first day as a Thunder, Mitchell immediately displayed his shot creation and playmaking chops, along with an innate feel. Averaging 16.4 points, 4.6 assists, three rebounds, and 1.6 steals, shooting 53.3% from the floor, 40% from three, and 92.3% from the free-throw line, in the five games he played in, during his 2024 Summer League debut.
These key traits — shot creation, playmaking, feel, and the ability to play on and off the ball — have alleviated and provided the offensive flexibility that the Thunder have lacked outside of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, in which Mitchell has complemented the Thunder’s stars. Leading to this second round gem, solidifying himself into the rotation — Day 1.
The numbers at this point in his rookie year may not have jumped out, but Mitchell’s steadiness, poise, and the trust from the coaching staff, as well as his teammates, with both the reserves and the starters, showed his value and impact right out the gate. Before suffering a turf toe sprain in January, which required surgery, resulting in him missing 12 weeks. This caused him to lose his momentum for the remainder of the season, when he returned in April, before the playoffs, where the Thunder would eventually become the reigning champions.
After capturing their first title, Mitchell’s next step to ascension, was having his second go around in Summer League and proving to be too good for 2025 Summer League — averaging 19.8 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, shooting 47.5% from the floor, 40% from three, and 85.4% from the free-throw-line in six games played.
Ajay Mitchell Day 1 of Summer League: vs Memphis Grizzlies24 POINTS6 ASSISTS10/18 FG62.1 TS%High feel & legit on-ball scoring chops3 mil/yr for the next 3 seasons will be such a valuable contract
Now here we are, five games into the 2025-26 season, and Mitchell is not only proving to be more than just a starting-level guard but is playing at a sixth man of the year level — averaging 18.2 points on 60.2% true-shooting, 3.8 rebounds, three assists, and 1.2 steals per game, off the bench.
We are only five games in… but Ajay Mitchell’s breakthrough is real. His poise, feel, ability to score in multiple ways, + find the open man — is going to take the Thunder to another levelHe's a big reason why the Thunder have started 5-0 without Jalen Williams
Another crucial additional wrinkle for the Thunder has been the synergy between Mitchell and SGA. Their two-man game has been causing havoc due to Mitchell’s steady ball-handling and playmaking, along with taking advantage and alleviating pressure as a secondary scorer. Plus, his ability to play on or off the ball complements SGA. While sharing the court for 67 minutes across five games, the duo has an offensive rating of 116.5, a defensive rating of 100.7, and a net rating of +15.9.
Context is always important in every situation. So now’s the perfect time to ask: How will the coaching staff allocate playing time on the roster when their full roster is back?
The Thunder have begun the season with a multitude of injuries, opening up an increased role for Mitchell, whom he has taken full advantage of. What will the coaching staff do with his playing time once the roster is whole again?
With Mitchell in the midst of his breakout, I can’t envision the Thunder removing him from the rotation. His natural fit and ability to be the ideal secondary creator across multiple lineups aren’t what one would expect from a player who could play a key role in the success of the defending champs moving forward.
While he is receiving all his recognition on offense, his defensive activity has gone under the radar. Being a plus defender, not a liability on defense, is such a luxury.
Gilgeous-Alexander spoke on Mitchell’s recent rise after their win against the Sacramento Kings, during the post-game press conference:
“They’re gonna have a game plan for him, and then he’s gonna have to figure out how to still be himself through the game plan. Usually, the more tools you have, the better off you are. He has so many tools that it doesn’t really matter what you do out there. He’s just showing the world that game by game you can plug him in anywhere, in any lineup.”
Here’s the kicker for the rest of the league: the Thunder signed Mitchell to a 3-year, $9 million contract over the offseason, another Presti masterclass, as this contract is already one of the best in the league. Now, ask yourself this question: Where have you heard this story before?
Mitchell’s story is just beginning to unfold. Now, how the rest of his story is written is unknown to us; surely the Thunder knows and has a clear view of it.
This won’t be the last time everyone hears his name; might as well see how the story of Ajay Mitchell is written.
Main Image: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
