Thunder player to watch could be on the verge of a breakout season

Ajay Mitchell didn’t come into the NBA with the hype of a top pick. He came in and worked his way into the mix.

That’s usually how it happens for young players in Oklahoma City. Nothing is handed out. Everything is earned.

He plays with patience, sees the floor well, and just doesn’t look stressed, which is not always easy for a young guard trying to find his place in the NBA. Those little things meant a lot.

Oklahoma City has built its roster around players who can make quick decisions and keep the offense moving. Mitchell fits that style. He doesn’t need the ball every possession to impact a game, but he has shown enough with the ball in his hands that a bigger role feels almost like a given.

The Thunder are expected to give him more offensive responsibility during the 2026-27 season, and that could be where he starts separating himself. More minutes means more chances to create, more chances to score and more opportunities to show that he can be something more than just a reliable backup.

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That kind of growth usually happens slowly. There isn’t always one big moment where a young player suddenly arrives. Sometimes it’s a handful of better possessions, a few more confident shots and the ability to handle tougher matchups without things speeding up.

Oklahoma City also added Aday Mara, the No. 12 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, who brings rare size and passing ability to the frontcourt. He gives the Thunder another intriguing young piece to develop.

But Mitchell already has something rookies don’t: experience.

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He’s been through the adjustment period. He knows the pace. He knows what NBA defenses look like. Now he gets a chance to show Oklahoma City there is more to his game than what they’ve already seen.