Ajay Mitchell predicted to become one of the breakout players of the 2026-27 NBA season

Ajay Mitchell predicted to become one of the breakout players of the 2026-27 NBA season originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder have made some major changes ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season. Of course, the core players are still there, but it does mean that Ajay Mitchell is set for a bigger role. He will play a massive role in the backcourt alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

It is yet to be decided whether he will be the starter alongside SGA, as he will be competing against Cason Wallace for that role. Even if he plays off the bench, Mitchell will be a big part of the Thunder‘s potential success in the 2026-27 season.

Ajay Mitchell is projected to be a breakout star in the 2026-27 season

With rotation players like Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and Lu Dort all leaving the Thunder, the team needs a boost from the remaining players. Mitchell must play a big role because they need his contributions on both sides of the floor. 

He is a decent defender who can fill the Dort void, but he will be mainly relied upon for his offensive contributions. Mitchell is a natural scorer who can create his own opportunities, but he can also set his teammates up with good passes.

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Wallace will probably be the resident defensive stopper now, so the starting guard role alongside SGA is still up in the air. However, Mitchell is still set for a big year because no matter what, the Thunder will need him to step up and live up to the hype.

“Over the last two seasons, Mitchell has played only 93 games because of the Thunder’s depth. That depth has gotten a little thinner with OKC moving off Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe. And all of that means more minutes and opportunities for Mitchell,” Bleacher Report’s Mo Dakhil said in an article about players ready to take the leap.

As long as Mitchell can keep making an impact, the future is bright for the Thunder. They already have a monumental core group, but having Mitchell break out will only be a boost to their chances of winning the championship again after missing out in the 2026 Playoffs.

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