Though Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams may be the All-Star headliners for this OKC Thunder squad, through 39 games played in 2025-26, Ajay Mitchell seems to have usurped the latter-mentioned forward as the MVP's most impactful running mate.
Sure, J-Dub has missed roughly just as many games as he's played this season as a result of offseason wrist surgery, and, even now with him back on the floor, he's still clearly far from full strength.
With this in mind, the forward undoubtedly deserves a pass.
However, this doesn't negate the fact that, in the wake of his absence and sub-100 percent play, Mitchell has stepped up to become a true gem of a running mate for Gilgeous-Alexander.