The Oklahoma City Thunder have already spent this offseason trimming salary, moving off Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins, and Isaiah Joe in separate trades to bring down their luxury-tax bill. That work buys them some breathing room now, but the bigger financial squeeze is still coming.
Next summer, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s deal climbs to roughly $60 million a year, and the Thunder could also be staring at extensions for Ajay Mitchell and Jared McCain as both players enter their fourth NBA seasons. If Cason Wallace gets extended this offseason, that would add another $15-20 million to the books for his second contract.
In a perfect world, Oklahoma City could keep everyone if Mitchell and McCain land modest deals and ownership is willing to go into the second apron. But that’s a narrow lane, and a big Mitchell season could make it even tighter.
That’s why Mitchell’s next step matters so much. He already does the hard part well: he gets downhill, uses his quickness to beat defenders, and has enough playmaking touch to make the defense pay once he gets into the paint.
What he still needs is a more reliable perimeter shot. If that comes together in 2026-27, the Thunder may not be able to afford what he becomes.
Mitchell’s rise was one of Oklahoma City’s most encouraging developments in 2025-26. He went from 6.5 points a night as a rookie in limited minutes to a much larger role in his second season after injuries opened the door. He made the most of it, averaging 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 57 games while shooting 34.7% from 3-point range.
He carried that surge into the playoffs, too. In the Thunder’s second-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, Mitchell was maybe their best player, posting 22.5 points per game on 56.3% shooting over four games.
There are still real questions around health and consistency, and Wallace could still move into the starting five ahead of him. Even so, Mitchell should keep getting chances to handle the ball as a sixth man, and Oklahoma City can create plenty of overlap with Gilgeous-Alexander by staggering minutes.
The market would already be ready for him if he ever hit restricted free agency. But the real swing skill is the jumper.
If Mitchell pushes his 3-point shooting into the 37 or 38% range in his third NBA season, he unlocks the full force of his downhill game. Defenses would have to chase him harder, and that opens the floor for everything else he does.
That’s the version of Mitchell the Thunder have to plan for now. If he reaches it, his next deal could creep toward four years and $100 million - and Oklahoma City’s path to keeping him gets a lot harder.
In Other News...
Ajay Mitchell Just Changed His Place In The Thunders Future
Ajay Mitchell has gone from a promising depth piece to one of the more interesting parts of Oklahoma Citys long-term picture. In his 2025-26 season, he took a clear step forward on both ends, scoring more efficiently and giving the Thunder a steadier defensive presence while carving out a real role in the rotation. For a team that always seems to have more young talent than minutes, that kind of leap matters.
Mitchells rise also showed up when the games tightened in the playoffs, where he became part of the Thunders real postseason fabric rather than just a developmental story. For Oklahoma City, the bigger question now is no longer whether he belongs in the conversation, but how high he can climb in a future that already looks crowded with options. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Title Hopes Could Hinge On One Crucial Strength
The Thunder know the grind of an 82-game season can wear down even the deepest roster, so their approach this year is built around keeping the big picture in view. Oklahoma City expects to manage minutes carefully, leaning on its depth to carry more of the load while preserving the legs of key starters such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Young contributors and two-way contract players should be part of that equation, giving the coaching staff options to keep the team competitive without overtaxing its core. For a club with title ambitions, the challenge is finding the right balance between winning enough now and making sure the rotation is fresh when the postseason arrives. [Read more 🡒]