The Thunder will decline their 2025/26 team option on Ajay Mitchell, opting instead to sign the guard to a three-year contract worth $9MM, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link).
The new deal will start in ’25/26, replacing the $3MM option.
The 38th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Mitchell initially signed a two-way contract with Oklahoma City, but earned rotation minutes during the first half of the season, averaging 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 16.6 minutes per game on a strong shooting line of .495/.383/.829 across 36 appearances.
However, Mitchell’s promising rookie season was derailed in January by a turf toe injury that kept him on the shelf for more than three months. He returned in the final week of the regular season, then played a limited role during the team’s title run, mostly playing in garbage time.
Having finalized a three-year extension with Jaylin Williams as well, the Thunder will have 14 of the 15 players from their championship team back under contract for next season once Mitchell’s deal is official. While it’s still early in the offseason and more moves are possible, it looks like replacing Dillon Jones with 2025 first-rounder Thomas Sorber may be the only real change Oklahoma City makes to its roster this summer.
The 3rd year must be a player option at that low a number
3rd year better be a team option making him a pseudo expiring contract by next season, makes it easier to move if they draft someone better.
It doesn’t feel like making all these draft picks and then signing them all to extensions is a feasible plan. Obviously drafting well is always good, and they believe they’ve done that, but they have now 14 players under contract for 25-26 with 3 first round picks in both 2026 and 2027???
New league motto is no cap space anywhere, tradeable contracts everywhere.
The cap always goes up, this keeps guys happy by getting them paid early it has not impacted their cap. They may not do it once SGA, Chet, and Jalen are all on bigger contracts.