After three games played in the Summer League, it's clear that the OKC Thunder are far from showcasing the same vigor and ferocity that just won them the 2025 NBA Finals. They boast a measly 1-2 record during this stretch.
However, from an individual standpoint, second-year guard Ajay Mitchell has somehow managed to raise his already impressive level of play even higher than last season. So much so, in fact, that it's hard to ignore that he's been far and away the best player in every game Oklahoma City has played so far.
Simply put, Mitchell doesn't look like he belongs on this particular stage and, as odd as that may sound, it's actually a tremendous compliment.
Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell easily one of best players in Summer League
Had it not been for a turf toe injury that sidelined him for 46 games last year, Mitchell very likely would have ended up on one of the two All-Rookie teams.
Selected 38 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, the 23-year-old averaged 16.6 minutes a night on the top-seeded and eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder and wrapped the year up ranking fifth in three-point percentage (38.3) and first in defensive rating (100.0) among his rookie peers that saw 30 or more games played.
Even while serving as a mere 3-and-D specialist, OKC fans and the coaching staff still saw the promise that Mitchell possessed in his game. Even Shai Gilgeous-Alexander couldn't help but gush about how "special" of a prospect he is.
Now, during these early stages of the 2025-26 calendar year, Ajay Mitchell is displaying this high-end potential in Summer League play for all to see.
Logging 26.1 minutes per game, the sophomore is posting stellar all-around averages of 19.7 points, 6.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and just under a block while shooting a highly efficient 44.4 percent from beyond the arc.
Mitchell has been given the keys to the Thunder offense and has made the most of his increased and more demanding role, as he's not only producing as the leading scorer for Oklahoma City but, perhaps most impressively, their top facilitator as well.
After such a strong rookie campaign, the hope for the Santa Barbara product is that he'll be able to take the next step in his development and contribute in an even bigger, more expanded role during Oklahoma City's coveted repeat run.
It may only be Summer League, but it seems like the currently out of place Ajay Mitchell is on track toward doing exactly that.