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Evaluating Thunder’s Pair Of Rookies Following Five-Game Summer League Sample.
With Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell officially being shut down for the remainder of NBA Summer League, we’re left with a five-game sample for both of the incoming rookies to evaluate ahead of the 2023-24 season. The next time this duo takes the floor will be in the preseason, meaning the three games in Salt Lake City and two in Las Vegas are all they’ll get before the level of competition rises and the stakes get higher.
How did Jones and Michell fare during summer league, and what themes have emerged surrounding each of them?
Jul 18, 2024,07:45am EDT
Updated Jul 18, 2024, 10:55am EDT
Thunder Rookie Press Conference
Dillon Jones and Ajay MitchelNICK CRAIN
With Dillon Jones and Ajay Mitchell officially being shut down for the remainder of NBA Summer League, we’re left with a five-game sample for both of the incoming rookies to evaluate ahead of the 2023-24 season. The next time this duo takes the floor will be in the preseason, meaning the three games in Salt Lake City and two in Las Vegas are all they’ll get before the level of competition rises and the stakes get higher.
How did Jones and Michell fare during summer league, and what themes have emerged surrounding each of them?
2024 NBA Salt Lake City Summer League – Memphis Grizzlies v Oklahoma City Thunder
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JULY 10: Dillon Jones #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder works the ball against … [+]GETTY IMAGES
PROMOTED
Jones will have a real chance to play NBA minutes in the upcoming season after being selected No. 26 overall in June’s draft. Although a bit of a tweener positionally, he fits what Oklahoma City is looking to do from a positional versatility standpoint.
Through five summer league games, Jones averaged 13.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per contest. His scoring production was inconsistent, converting on just 29.2% of his triples and 40.7% of his shots overall.
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In either case, Jones’ confidence and mindset are already where they need to be, which is a huge step in the right direction for a young player in this league.
“Dillon stays aggressive, as he should,” said Ajay Mitchell of his rookie colleague in Las Vegas. “I think he’s doing a good job in always staying positive.”
