Ajay Mitchell Rumors

Ajay Mitchell, 24, is the most interesting case of the three. A former second-round pick who thrived in a vital bench role in just his second professional season, Mitchell is on one of the league’s most team-friendly contracts. He’s set to make just $2.9 million in 2026-27, with a $2.9 million team option for the next year. The Thunder have three paths to retain him long term. They could reap the benefits of his cheap salary for the next two seasons, wait until he hits free agency in 2028 and re-sign him then.

New York Times

By sending Dort to Atlanta, the Thunder opened up more playing time for rising young guards Ajay Mitchell and Cason Wallace, including a starting spot. Wallace, an All-Defensive Team selection, is extension eligible. Comparable guards to Wallace who’ve signed recent contract extensions include Dyson Daniels and Christian Braun, who both signed for $25 million per season, and Jalen Suggs, who signed for $30 million annually. Should Wallace enter restricted free agency next year, he’d be a highly coveted player. Various teams have called the Thunder through Wallace’s tenure to gauge what it would take to pry him from the franchise, as previously mentioned on HoopsHype.

HoopsHype

Sam Presti: I remember meeting Lu at the practice facility door the morning after he went undrafted. I showed him around and we had breakfast together. He didn’t touch his food. I just remember saying to him that this was the beginning and not the end, that on draft night things are aligned vertically 1-60, but the morning after everyone is lined up side by side horizontally at an imaginary starting line. It’s safe to say that he will finish amongst the top of that race. I love the guy, love what he’s about and we will miss him. Losing Lu will certainly have an effect on the team, but I think we are positioned well to reimagine ourselves and continue to find new avenues to win. Cason (Wallace) and Ajay (Mitchell) will have more responsibility, as will others. But, as has always been our belief, it is necessary to embrace change and not fall victim to trying to imitate ourselves or our previous play style. As we do at the beginning of each season, we need to give the team space to discover itself once again. Losing three tremendous players and professionals is not easy and our margin for error will be smaller than it has been for some time, but I’m excited to see how we come together.

oklahoman.com

SiriusXM NBA Radio: "This is also because the Thunder want to extend Cason Wallace this summer and they want to extend Ajay Mitchell next summer" @TheSteinLine talks to @talkhoops about OKC trading Lu Dort to the Hawks Hear Deals and Dunks weekdays at 1 PM ET sxm.app.link/DealsAndDunksL

x.com

Belgian Lions: Ajay Mitchell will miss the July window with the Belgian Lions 🦁 due to injury. Check out his message to the fans 👀 #basketballbelgium #crelansport #omdathetkan #crionsensemble

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Chandler Parsons on Chet Holmgren: "I do think there is some sort of mental block when it comes to Victor Wembanyama. I really do. I don't think it is like Space Jam, but I don't think he can take two shots in Game 7. You don't play 33 minutes and take two shots. I would rather live and die with going down with Ajay Mitchell out and Jalen Williams out. I would rather have him be 0 for 15 than one for two."

YouTube

Joel Lorenzi: Mark Daigneault on Jalen Williams’ injury-related absences this season and the importance of his summer “Missing him impacts your ceiling. Missing Ajay Mitchell impacts your ceiling. But we've been able to maintain a really high floor. I'm proud of that. That's a huge accomplishment for the season, and it will pay dividends moving forward and will pay dividends for us this year. “I'm excited about a healthy Jalen Williams. I'm excited about a healthy team and what that can look like moving forward. So that becomes the priority especially with him. It was a tough year for him, and we need to do everything we can to get him in full form, and he does too.”

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Tim MacMahon: Thunder injury report remains the same: Ajay Mitchell (soleus) out, Jalen Williams (hamstring) questionable

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Justin Martinez: Final: Thunder 127, Spurs 114 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 32 points and 9 assists Alex Caruso: 22 points and 6 assists Chet Holmgren: 16 points and 11 boards OKC claims a 3-2 series lead on a night when it didn't have Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell. It can book its ticket to the NBA Finals on Thursday.

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Tim MacMahon: OKC’s Jalen Williams is listed as questionable again for Game 5, but the injury designation has been changed from left hamstring soreness to strain. Ajay Mitchell (soleus) is out again.

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NBA on ESPN: .@ShamsCharania provides an injury update on the Thunder's Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell: The Thunder are still evaluating both Jay Williams and AJ Mitchell on a day to day basis. J-Dub, aka Jalen Williams, we know he suffered a second injury to that same left hamstring in just under one month. I am told that he is making some progress in his on-court workouts. He's starting to do more and more. AJ Mitchell, on the other hand, he's been dealing with right calf tightness throughout the playoffs, and then he was diagnosed over the weekend with a right calf strain. Both of their statuses are very much up in the air for game five on Tuesday night, both dealing with soft tissue injuries. We know the Oklahoma City Thunder, as an organization, always look at the long-term approach, and when you think about these soft tissue injuries of hamstring, as well as a calf, these typically are not just day-by-day injuries.

Twitter

Brandon Rahbar: Jalen Williams is out tonight for Game 4. OKC will be without JDub and Ajay Mitchell.

x.com

Justin Martinez: Ajay Mitchell (right soleus strain) has been ruled out for Game 4 vs. San Antonio on Sunday. Jalen Williams (left hamstring soreness) is questionable.

Twitter

Tom Orsborn: Stephon Castle on Devin Vassell confronting Ajay Mitchell after the hard foul that sent the Spurs guard sprawling onto the court: "We're a pretty close group and brothers (do) that. It's in our nature to just stand up for each other. But we have to move on and keep our composure throughout the game."

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