Since Jalen Williams was sidelined with a left hamstring strain back on April 22, Ajay Mitchell has taken over his spot within the starting five for the OKC Thunder.
The results have been truly sensational, with Game 2 of their Western Conference Semifinals serving as arguably his finest showing yet.
In 30 minutes of action, the sophomore posted 20 points, six assists, and three rebounds on 58.3 percent shooting from the floor, while simultaneously playing highly effective defense and, as evidenced by his second-best plus-minus of plus-18, serving as one of the leading figures in Oklahoma City's 125-107 win.
Now, while Mitchell's performance certainly warrants ample praise from fans, pundits, and his fellow teammates alike, in his eyes, Game 2 was an example of him still leaving things on the table, as he told reporters postgame, "It’s great to see where I'm at and be able to tell myself I know I can be much better.”
Here in his first year serving as a regular fixture within the Thunder's in-game playoff rotation, the point guard finds himself posting phenomenal averages of 16.3 points, 3.2 assists, and 4.2 boards per game while literally leading all NBA players in postseason plus-minus.
On top of this, he's been one of the driving forces in Oklahoma City's historic, undefeated stretch thus far.
The fact that he believes there's even more that he could provide to this team is absolutely exhilarating for OKC and truly terrifying for the Lakers and, frankly, the rest of the league.
Thunder guard continues to prove himself to be best contract in NBA
After drafting him in the second round and inking him to a two-way deal during the summer of 2025, the Thunder opted to up the ante on his particular pact heading into year two.
Behind his impressive shooting skills and defensive chops, Mitchell played himself into a new three-year, $8.7 million deal before the start of this year's campaign.
11 months after putting pen to paper, it has now become virtually undeniable that, with these figures in place, he is the best bargain contract the game has to offer.
Mitchell's top-flight production is not merely a new playoff discovery. The 23-year-old has been on fire all season long, posting tremendous averages of 13.6 points, 3.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals on 48.5 percent shooting while predominantly coming off the pine.
Of course, he's far from just a second-unit spark-plug, as the Thunder have gone a ridiculous 20-1 when he's been found suiting up in the club's starting lineup.
On a dynasty-pushing team already stocked with the reigning MVP, an established All-NBA forward, and a recently-minted All-Star big man, the fact that the former 38 overall pick is standing out as much as he is is impressive enough.
However, considering he's producing at this kind of level while earning less than $3 million per year on average, seeing a cap percentage of less than 2.0 percent throughout, and being attached to a third-year club option at a rate of just $2.8 million, there's really no argument to be made against Ajay Mitchell being the best bargain in the entire association.
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