Amidst the 2025-26 NBA season's first-week overreactions , Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell received serious consideration for this year's Most Improved Player award from Yahoo Sports' Chris Mannix, who's calling the race early. Mitchell continues to make headway for the Thunder in a secondary scorer/playmaker role amid All-Star Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe's absence throughout the regular season.

Mitchell, who was on a two-way deal last season, earned coach Mark Daigneault's trust throughout training camp, preseason, and two double-overtime wins for the shorthanded defending champions, and thrived. Mitchell scored a career-high 26 points in a 141-135 victory against the Indiana Pacers.

For Mannix, Mitchell's journey coupled with his production, which is sustainable as the

See Full Page