Thunder news: Another Ajay Mitchell leap is on the horizon after Sam Presti endorsement

While Ajay Mitchell is entering his third year with the Oklahoma City Thunder , he's yet to have a fully healthy season, of which GM Sam Presti reminded the media during his preseason address. After Presti discussed Chet Holmgren's struggles versus Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in Game 7's loss in the Western Conference Finals, he mentioned what fans should be looking forward to.

From Jared McCain's first Thunder training camp in 2026-27 to Jalen Williams ' recovery from an injury-riddled season, there's plenty for Thunder fans to be excited about. Plus, Mitchell is on the verge of taking another step in his development , as Presti mentioned.

"He's a work-in-progress. He, like a lot of guys on our team, we lost him for a majority of his rookie year, and certainly a crucial period of time in the playoffs last year. Even a big portion of the regular season," Presti said. "I think he has less game experience than he has NBA experience, if that makes sense. So, every opportunity he has to play, he's going to improve and get better. I just think he has the potential to be a solid defender, in addition to being a dynamic offensive player."

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Ajay Mitchell, coming off his most productive regular season, took on a sixth-man role in 2025-26, before playing in only three of the Thunder's seven-game series against the Spurs in the Western Conference Finals. Thunder GM Sam Presti revealed how Mitchell spent the majority of the offseason working on his physique.

"He's gotten much stronger, and that'll allow him to be more physical/more durable. I think he's an underrated passer — he can play with anybody," Presti added. "That's the thing I like about him a lot. When I was watching him on film during college, early in the year, that was the thing that jumped out to me.

"He can play anywhere. He can play with the ball; he can play without the ball. He's just a very useful player, and he's driven by winning. So, those are really great ingredients to start with, and will continue his trajectory," Presti concluded.

Mitchell averaged 13.6 points on 48.5% shooting, 3.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.2 steals last season.