The spotlight is firmly on Ajay Mitchell, the OKC Thunder guard who is making headlines with his performance during his breakout campaign. As he steps up to fill the scoring gap while All-NBA forward Jalen Williams is out, Mitchell has been a key asset for the league-leading team. His ability to contribute while on a rookie-scale contract has been a compelling narrative for fans and analysts alike.
However, there’s an underlying concern that accompanies Mitchell’s impressive performances: his success may eventually lead to his departure from the Thunder. In a recent episode of the Game Theory Podcast, hosts Sam Vecenie and Bryce Simon praised Mitchell’s “incredible season,” drawing comparisons between his ascent and that of current Knicks star, Jalen Brunson. This comparison, while flattering, presents a dual-edged sword for Thunder supporters.
On one hand, Oklahoma City’s discovery of such a promising player in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft deserves recognition. With substantial commitments already made to talents like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams, and Chet Holmgren—totaling over $800 million—Mitchell represents a potential gem that could help the team navigate salary cap constraints and avoid exceeding the second apron threshold outlined in the new collective bargaining agreement.
However, as the Thunder’s payroll grows, retaining players like Mitchell may become increasingly challenging. His current contract, which includes a club option through the 2027-28 season, is favorable for the team, with an average cap percentage below 2.0 percent. Nevertheless, once he enters free agency in the summer of 2028, if he maintains his upward trajectory, the Thunder could be faced with a situation similar to Brunson’s departure from the Mavericks, where an enticing offer from another team could be tough for Oklahoma City to match.
While the comparison between Mitchell and Brunson might not be perfect—Simon acknowledges the significant leap from where Mitchell currently stands to Brunson’s established status—there are valid points made by Vecenie regarding Mitchell’s impressive early career. In fact, his performance thus far has surpassed that of Brunson’s initial years, signaling that Mitchell could be poised for a long-term starting role in the league.
The consensus among analysts points to the likelihood that unless Oklahoma City can cut costs significantly before 2028, they may only have a couple more seasons to enjoy Mitchell’s contributions. This scenario evokes both optimism for his development and apprehension about the long-term future of the player on the Thunder roster. As the franchise navigates these challenges, fans are left to hope that management can create a sustainable model that accommodates budding stars like Ajay Mitchell while maintaining competitive success.