His name is Davion Mitchell.
Davion is regarded as a tenacious defender, which is a crucial reason he has become the Sacramento Kings’ latest first-round draft choice.
But don’t be confused. His name is similar to Utah Jazz superstar guard, Donovan Mitchell.
Can Davion be as good as Donovan?
Well, if Davion is anywhere near as good as Donovan, the Kings got themselves quite a player with the ninth pick in Thursday’s NBA draft.
Their games are similar. They wear the same number, 45. Their built and names are similar. Are they brothers? Cousins? Even Blazers superstar Damian Lillard wondered if Davion and Donovan are related.
Davion helped lead Baylor past Gonzaga to win the NCAA championship this past season. The 22-year-old junior averaged 14.0 points, 5.5 assists and 1.9 steals per game. He shot 51.1% from the field and 44.7% from three-point range (up from 28.8% as a freshman). Mitchell was just a mid-60% shooter from the free-throw line, leaving plenty of room for improvement.
At 6’2″, Mitchell is on the small side, like Donovan, but his incredible work ethic will excite the Kings.
Mitchell joins a very crowded Kings backcourt with De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Delon Wright and Terence Davis (if re-signed). Though nothing transpired in the trade waves for Sactown last night, it would not be surprising if one or two of those players finds a new home this offseason.
Sharp-shooting three-point specialist Buddy Hield was reportedly close to being LA bound in a trade with the Lakers, but that deal fell through at the last hour when L.A. changed course and acquired Russell Westbrook instead.
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Draft Day was just the first step for the Kings as they get ready to rebuild their roster to make a run at ending their 15-year playoff drought.
There’s no doubt that more moves are coming. They have to decide if they can afford to re-sign center Richaun Holmes. Is the oft-injured former No. 2 pick Marvin Bagley III part of the future?
Fasten your seat belts. Plenty will probably be happening in Kings Land over the next few weeks.
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