The Charlotte Hornets have been on a mission to collect second-round picks the past two years. If there are doubts that such a strategy will pay off, Ajay Mitchell of the Oklahoma City Thunder is proof that it can.
Oklahoma City's title defense is off to a good, albeit shaky, start. It is currently 2-0, although its matchups against the Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers went to double-overtime. In both games, its depth has been a boon, with Mitchell leading the bench platoon.
Against the Rockets, the promising swingman scored 16, the third-most points behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.