It's no secret that the OKC Thunder have built what appears to be the start of a dynasty with defense as its backbone.
The emphasis on that side of the ball, which largely goes against the grain in today's game, has been spearheaded by head coach Mark Diagneault, who has regularly discussed how defense directly affects the outcome of the game time and time again.
However, in an odd turn of events, despite finding the the NBA's top defender fall into his lap, Daigneault has elected not to use him.
Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell has been so good on defense that he is currently first in the league in defensive field goal percentage among players who have defended a minimum of 200 attempts.
His 36.8 percent clip is 1.3 percent lower than the next best, Victor Wembanyama.
Other defensive juggernauts close behind Mitchell in this category are Amen Thompson, Ayo Dosumnu, and teammate and current Defensive Player of the Year favorite, Chet Holmgren.
The sixth man also ranks second in the NBA in defensive rating at 100.4 among players who have played at least 20 games and averaged over 20 minutes per game.
Thunder refuse to reward Ajay Mitchell despite defensive excellence
Now, of course, it's not as if the sophomore guard is going unnoticed.
Just last week, Daigneault took time to recognize his talents in a postgame press conference, highlighting his efficiency and competitiveness. The Ringer's Bill Simmons even recently acknowledged just how impressed he's been by Mitchell's breakout in 2025-26.
However, these buzzed-about efforts haven't been rewarded with more minutes, as Daigneault has opted for alternatives when selecting his starting guards.
Mitchell's minutes have actually decreased as the season has progressed, due to players like Jalen Williams and Lu Dort returning from injury.
In the first 19 games of the year, before J-Dub made his debut following offseason wrist surgery, the sophomore averaged 26.2 minutes per game and helped OKC get out to an 18-1 start to the season.
Since then, however, he has averaged just 23.1 minutes, and the Thunder have gone 9-4.
Thunder coach's defensive emphasis beginning to sound hypocritical
Mitchell's defense is proving to be better than those who are syphoning off his minutes.
OKC's defensive crown jewel, Lu Dort, is currently allowing a 46.2 defensive field goal percentage and has a defensive rating that is 4.6 points higher than that of the second-year man.
Isaiah Joe has arguably been the worst defender on the team among full-time players, allowing an underwhelming 47.8 defensive field goal percentage while boasting a defensive rating that's a full five points higher than Mitchell's.
Even Cason Wallace, who has broken out defensively and has been praised for his otherworldly ability to generate steals and disrupt opponents' offense, is allowing a 43.1 percent defensive field goal percentage.
If Daigneault's squad truly wants to maintain the competitive advantage they have had over the past year and a half, then Mitchell deserves more recognition for the defensive chaos he has been creating.
With opposing stars like Anthony Edwards, De'Aaron Fox, and Stephon Castle seemingly having their way with Thunder guards as of late, rotational changes might need to be made if OKC wants to reestablish dominance over the rest of the league's title competitors.