Thunder’s Potential Draft Day Steal Showcasing Potential

Thanks to a right wrist surgery, Oklahoma City Thunder swingman Jalen Williams is sitting out the first few weeks of the 2025-26 season. Though the absence of the rising star is hardly inconspicuous, it only means that the next man up would come from the Thunder bench. To that point, second-year guard Ajay Mitchell‘s breakout start has turned a lot of heads, as he’s showing a lot of potential as one of the team’s reserves.

As seen in the previous season, one of OKC’s biggest strengths is its second unit. From Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, to Cason Wallace, who all started at least 15 games in 2024-25, they’re stacked. With the Thunder now beginning their title defense, Mitchell building on his respectable rookie campaign and continuing to prove his worth is a good sign.

Fresh off scoring a career-high 26 points for the Thunder in their 2OT thriller against the Indiana Pacers, Mitchell is just getting started. Oklahoma City has a reputation for picking the best talents in the Draft, and it does seem they struck gold with the guard so far.

Ajay Mitchell Showcasing Potential With Thunder

Is He A Steal?

Selected 38th overall by the New York Knicks in the 2024 Draft, Mitchell found his way to the Thunder via trade. After exchanging the 40th pick for Mitchell, OKC eventually signed him to a two-way contract. As a rookie, Mitchell would have some impressive showings, especially as a playmaker. However, his first NBA season would get derailed after he underwent surgery for a turf toe sprain.

Despite missing months of action, the Thunder decided to take a swing and convert his two-way contract to a standard deal. The UC Santa Barbara product finished his rookie season averaging 6.5 points, 1.8 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game, shooting 38.3% from 3 (36 games). He then suited up for Oklahoma City in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, playing 12 games in the Thunder’s championship run, albeit sparingly.

All of that being said, the Thunder have proven that they have a knack for developing young talents into elite players. Just look at how Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Chet Holmgren have taken off. The core trio is already the league’s ‘next big thing.’ Ultimately, Mitchell being able to grow and develop alongside them is good news. That (and his draft position) may even help him be considered a draft steal.

Doubly Impressive

Mitchell was a strong performer for OKC off the bench in their first game of the season. In that 125-124 20T win against the Houston Rockets, he dropped 16 points, two assists, and two rebounds. He also shot 6-12 (50.0%) from the field and 3-6 (50.0%) from 3. When both Gilgeous-Alexander and Holmgren were on the bench, he provided a pivotal boost.

He did all this while only logging 15 minutes of action.