Davion Mitchell Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Kings could trade recent lottery pick in search of upgrades

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 12/15/23

Davion Mitchell was drafted ninth overall in 2021 by the Sacramento Kings. He is a defensive specialist, thriving on shutting down opposing players and being a disruptor in the halfcourt. Throughout his first two seasons in Sacramento, Mitchell was a prime member of the team's bench rotation. However, he has hardly featured for Mike Brown's team this season.

As such, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports is reporting that the Kings are expected to be open for trade discussions surrounding Mitchell.

"Davion Mitchell is considered a strong trade candidate with the Kings, league sources told Yahoo Sports, as the third-year guard continues seeing limited minutes in Sacramento’s rotation," Fischer wrote on Friday.

Latest for @YahooSports: Emptying the notebook on usual trade suspects like Zach Lavine, Pascal Siakam and O.G. Anunoby. But with a lack of clear sellers, several teams have indeed called Utah and learned a surprising change in Lauri Markkanen’s status https://t.co/LLCWBsn0fj
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) December 15, 2023

Mitchell has played 172 regular-season games since entering the NBA. He's averaging 8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, shooting 42.4% and 31.4% from 3-point range. Mitchell makes up for his limited offensive production by being a bullish defender, hounding ball-handlers, and fighting his way over and under screens on every possession. His stellar rearguard performances earned him the nickname "Off-Night" due to his impact when guarding opposing players.

Sacramento made the postseason for the first time in 16 years last season. They will want to build on that success. However, in order to upgrade their roster, the Kings will need to part ways with some of their assets.

Rather than taking a big swing on a third star to pair with Domantas Sabonis and De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento could look to make incremental improvements. Mitchell makes sense as a trade chip due to his age, low salary, and defensive upside.

Mitchell has another year remaining on his rookie-scale deal. Being cost-controlled for another season will certainly make him an enticing prospect on the trade market. However, given the Kings' unwillingness to part ways with their primary core rotation, their potential return for their former lottery pick could be limited.

Sacramento's hopes of incremental improvement may be based on inserting themselves as a third team in a larger trade rather than simply flipping Mitchell for a similarly talented player.

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