As the questions about the NBA trade deadline linger, Sacramento Kings rookie Davion Mitchell is having himself a nice stretch of basketball.
In his first string of multiple games of 30+ minutes with De’Aaron Fox out due to an ankle issue, Mitchell is showing glimpses of what he can become for the Kings. In his last five games, he is averaging 19.4 points, 5.6 assists and 2.2 rebounds. He also is averaging 48% (!) from the field and 40% from three.
In Thursday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors, Mitchell had a career-high 26 points to go along with 8 assists. He served as a bright spot for the Kings as the Warriors continued their impressive run, beating Sacramento 126-114.
“The one thing that was questionable about him [coming into this season] was: Is he going to be able to make NBA shots against NBA defenses? And I think what you have seen is that he’s gotten a lot better in that area because he puts in the work,” Interim Head Coach Alvin Gentry said.
The Warriors are the No. 1 team in the league in defensive rating. That is certainly an NBA defense.
Thursday’s game marked a career-high in minutes for Mitchell (37). In each game of this five-game stretch his minutes has increased, starting with 30 against the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 26. With the extended minutes has come a comfort level. The performance against the Warriors came the night after Mitchell played a key role in the Kings defeating the Brooklyn Nets at home.
“I just feel more comfortable out there. I think playing more minutes and getting more reps, you are just going to get more comfortable over time,” he said following the win over the Nets.
That comfort level has led to the shot dropping on a more consistent basis.
“He’s developed a lot more confidence in his shot and he’s not afraid to take the big shot,” Gentry said.
Let’s take a look.
He is clearly able to create his own shot on a consistent basis, and that last clip against Kyrie Irving should be all the proof we need.
“He plays hard on both ends of the floor and nobody is telling him not to shoot that shot or anything like that, so he gets to play free, and I think he’s doing a great job,” said Maurice Harkless. “His confidence level is getting higher and higher every game and it shows.”
For much of the season, Mitchell has had to find his way behind Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, which has required him to learn to pick his spots while grasping the NBA game. Following the Nets game, Haliburton explained how Mitchell is learning to spell him.
“Playing with me and Fox who are kind of ball dominant guards and he’s having to play off the ball a little bit more, but there are times when we’re off the floor, especially right now, where he’s asked to do more on the ball, so it’s just finding that balance and learning how to take care of things,” Haliburton said. “Down the stretch today, I was struggling a little bit and he came and got the ball and hit a big midrange shot in front of the free throw line. That was big for us. So, I think just learning that balance and learning when to go, when is the right time to make a play, and I thought he did really good job.”
And let’s not forget about that driving layup, which is quickly becoming his patent shot.
He knows how to get the defender on his back nearly every time on this drive to shield himself despite his height. And he can close out the play with either hand.
And then of course, his calling card: the defense.
“He can stay in front of probably 99 percent of the NBA in ISO situations. He just does a really, really good job,” Haliburton said.
On Wednesday he did a good job of helping to limit Kyrie Irving, and helping out against James Harden.
“It doesn’t surprise me, but for him to be a rookie and to be able to do some of the things that he can do defensively has been a real, real, plus to us,” Gentry said.
Aside from his scoring and defense, what has really stood out in this recent stretch is his court vision and ability to run the offense.
That last clip is particularly impressive. The Warriors double him and push him out beyond the three-point line. Two guys with quite a bit more size than him have him trapped, but he manages to see his man under the basket and get him the ball.
What is really good to see is that Mitchell doesn’t have blinders on when going to the basket and also can make plays for his teammates in the open floor, which is exactly what you want from your point guard.
During this stretch, he has shown he still needs to work on getting to the line (he only has taken four) and making free throws (he only made 1) and more consistency from three (he had a 28% and 25% night on 7 and 8 attempts). Overall, however, what he is showing in extended minutes is very promising for this franchise moving forward.
He has terrific form on his shot. If he gets consistent, he’s gonna be the guy.
Now if we can just get Haliburton to stop his disappearing acts.
He’s got Kahwi Leonard’s demeanor too. Doesn’t celebrate after a great play, instead, he quickly goes back on defense. Not hard to like this guy.
I love Mitchell. Like with Haliburton, liked him the moment I saw him on court.
And I don’t get how some already think they can perceive both guards’ ceilings. They are young and have all the skills/abilities to be very good.
And they actually work hard at their craft. Unlike some other guards on the team..cough(Fox).
They really should get rid of Fox. Mitchell can/seems to be able to shoot. Just as good running O/passer, maybe better. Better defender. Plays hard all the time. He and Hali are the future.
Absolutely agree with you Amonk. The ultra sure view many on here have with regard to rookies is absurd. To the fans who have identified Davi at best as a solid rotation player in the first 3 months of his career are ludicrous. Now that he is getting solid minutes he is starting to show what he can do. I expect he will get better this season and show major improvement next season. He and Hali are the future IMO. I like everything about him.
Fox may still beat him in the 40 but Mitchell is now the fastest player on the Kings.
Are Mitchell and Hali a good combo at the 1 and 2? I don’t watch the games so curious how they fit next to each other.
From my perspective, they fit almost perfectly together. The only thing still TBD is…are their respective ceilings high enough to build a team around?
40 years of eyeball testing tells me the answer is….maybe.
Yes, they fit well, both on offense and defense.
What makes Davion interesting for me is that he’s not a finished product, and it feels like much of what can be accomplished in his game is minimal. But that minimal work will pay dividends because the guy is very talented and knows how to play the game. A high IQ extraordinarily hard worker.
Davion Mitchell is a fun player to root for.
Hali’s not close to his ceiling either, and that’s what make their pairing so fascinating to me…
Haliburton is about 1.5 years younger. While Mitchell isn’t the finished product, he’s likely much closer to it than Haliburton is.
Fox is less than a year older than Mitchell.
I preferred the original title of this article, “Davion be like fuck this shit,”
Keep him. Keep Hali. Dump the rest. End of story.
Said it before, if Fox, Buddy and Barnes are not on this team come the deadline, you’ll have some happy King’s fans.
I’ve had (very early) concerns about whether Davion can be an effective NBA shooter, so I really like to see stretches like this. Let’s hope this carries over into then next five games, five after that and then we’ve really got something.
His stop/start/stutter step ability on defense always made it seem to me like he had the ability to learn to use those same traits on offense to create spacing for his own shot – if he had the work ethic to do it (which he clearly seems to). Watching those clips above, you can see several times where it’s clear he learning to do just that.
It’s fun (and somewhat rare) to see rookies make that kind of in-season leap. If it holds up, it portends very well for a future backcourt of Mitchell/Hali, whose size and skill sets complement each other rather well.
Seems like the Fox and Knicks rumors are legit. Just don’t know what NY has that is attractive.
I don’t care for Randle or his contract.
RJ, Obi and salary for Fox? Not much of a return.
His deal is 4/117. 29 per for an all star. Not bad at all. Fox is the overpay.
I agree.
And swapping Fox for Randle opens up the starting spot for Davion and makes Hali the offense’s chief engine and decision-maker. That’s a win. I don’t know how the league views Randle in comparison to Fox, though. Who is “better,” or more accurately, who has more value on the market? Could it be a straight swap (plus random salary filler for rules’ sake), or would Fox (or Randle) need to come with some legitimate sweetener(s), like a pick?
I like Randle. If the trade would go through I would hope to get one more young player.
I find it hard to believe that a team with Thibs and his reputation for working his guys hard and making them pay attention on defense and holding his guys accountable would want Fox tbh. Unless they think they can unlock something that the player coaches in Sac couldn’t, which I guess I wouldn’t blame them for thinking that. If winning now is the plan, especially if you have to give up an all-star, I’d stay away from Fox but that’s just me
Fox and Thibs at first (and second) glance don’t appear to be a match made in Heaven but next season will Thibs 3rd in NYC and usually that’s when he and management fall out of love. My guess is that if Fox is traded to the Knicks that his and Thib’s relationship won’t be a long one.
Trade Tyrese and Fox and give him the keys
I’m a huge fan of multi-tooled players. So often we get seduced by a one-tool athlete whose singular tool is so mind-blowing, that we develop blind spots around their weaknesses.
From Day 1 Fox, has been that player to me.
Everyone was so enthralled with his blistering speed, we envisioned a guy who could get to the basket any time he wanted, conveniently overlooking the fact that he (1) can’t shoot, (2) is an average to below average distributor as a PG, and (3) is a well below average defender.
The max contract, in retrospect, was a huge mistake. While the stats improved each year (until this year), I never really saw a major “leap” in any of the above areas.
Mitchel and Hali, while inexperienced and still learning, have both shown windows that they can make that leap to another level. Their multi-skill sets also largely complement each other.
With Fox, I believe we’ve seen his ceiling, and it’s not enough to build a team around him, or his particular skill set.
Go forward with Mitchell and Hali, and see what you have over the next couple of years. Value Fox for what he is (an above average, but limited player on an overpay), and get what you can for him. I’m in the camp of this “ankle injury” being about something else entirely, and if that’s the case, then it’s time to move on from him regardless.
Fox’s issue is that he’s never improved on his greatest weakness–his shot. Without development in that area, he will always be dependent on, and limited by, his athleticism. That’s not a recipe for a dominant career, nor a starring role on a contending team. The Kings took a leap of faith (and an understandable one) by maxing him out. That leap has come up a bit short. No shame in moving on.
You don’t trade Haliburton.
Yes, you do if the return is great.
No-one is untradable. Especially no-one on a 30-win team (I may be too optimistic here).
Having said that, it has to be an offer that really blows you away.
Only trade Tyrese if you are getting a young locked up all-star, otherwise you don’t trade statistically the best player on your team who is on year two of his rookie deal.
Agree with you both. No one is untouchable. Hali should be closest.
Nawww, trade Mitchell, Tyrese, and Fox and give the keys to th PG Monte drafts at #14.
I like your way of thinking!
Kidding aside, I generally like BPA in the draft, but do you think Monte actually goes PG again, if that’s the BPA?
I think it depends on where you are drafting. BPA is definitely top 10 for me, but any pick after #10 and it’s so subjective. That’s when fit has to come into account a bit.
Ummm, Randle just unfollowed the Knicks on socials.
And Fox just unfollowed the Kings on Instagram.
I ran into him when I was heading into the Lexus lounge at the Brooklyn game. He said hello, that was nice of him. He did not seem to have a limp. I like him as a player and he seems like a stand up dude. I hope his ankle issue is not serious.
I would not be surprised if he is traded, but will be happy if he stays.
That’s some smoke.
Fox stopped following the Kings on IG over 2yrs ago.
I guess the folks at the Daily Knicks aren’t on it.
That trade would be good. Sounds like it may really happen. ???
Would be a step toward logic and reason/rebuild.
The quandary we have is both Hali and Davion are more natural at the point. You couldn’t play Davion at the 2 full time. Not sure if they have the McCollum/Lillard, Curry/Klay kind of talent. Don’t see it. Hali disappearing on the big stage is not a good look.
Too soon to know for sure. Steph’s FGA’s didn’t really start to increase until year 4, when he, became the focal point of the offense. (Remember, when Steph got there, GS had Monta Ellis as their primary backcourt scorer, similar to Fox’s current role).
Come to think of it, GS had a similar decision a decade ago as to who to keep – Ellis or Curry – because they clearly didn’t fit together. The obviously chose the right guy. Will we?
And if so, can Hali be that guy? The shooting percentages are there right now, but he’s not the primary option – Fox is. Will his shooting % stay this high if he’s the primary scoring option, and other teams game plan for that?
That’s my only concern right now. He needs to take one more big step, and next year will be Year 3. If you’re going to only keep one of Fox/Hali, I keep the guy who I believe hasn’t hit his ceiling yet.
Has Hali ever been on a big stage?
No one on the Kings has been on a big stage in 15 years. Have any of the young guys even had a national TV game yet?
Last year I believe. They’ve been on NBATV a few times this season, but I’m not sure that counts in the way you’re saying.
I don’t see the quandary. Haliburton is the more natural half court facilitator with better BBIQ and vision. Mitchell can play off ball and get the advantage of being able to attack switches and closeouts with his elite first step. On defense, Mitchell defends the primary ball0-handling guard and Haliburton defends the off ball guard. It plays to both of their strengths.
As for being Curry/Klay, McCollum/Lillard level talents, well, they certainly aren’t. And I would bet on either reaching Curry/Lillard level (I’d say it isn’t smart to bet on ANY young player reaching Curry/Lillard level) but they don’t necessarily have to. They’re both young, cheap, team-controlled talents with theoretical skillsets that can facilitate building a quality team. Because of their age and contracts, they don’t HAVE to be elite for the Kings to build a good team with them.
Davion has a consistent competitive spirit ! Brings it every night and never loses emotional control ! He and Hali are good fits on D as well since Hali has a lot of trouble with quick guards !
FIFY: He and Hali are good fits on D as well since Hali has a lot of trouble
with quick guards!Hali is decent at team D and at prowling the passing lanes, but his on-man defense needs a lot of work.
I like that he doesn’t just look for a 3. He gets to a spot where he has a good shot, on all three levels. Keeps the defense guessing.
Since inserted into the starting lineup Mitchell has definitely impressed. I, for one, did not expect this from him. I still feel he may be a great backup PG or a super 6th man, much like Bobby Jackson so my expectations are still tempered.
One thing I feel that should be noted is that there is no book on Mitchell. Teams are not yet game planning for him. We are seeing a Mitchell that other teams are not expecting, much like Hali was last year. IMO, year two and three will be the tells on Mitchell’s expectations. Teams will have ample film on him by then, will have gameplans for him, and will not let him take open jumpers or a free pass to the lane. Le’s his game continues to develop and his skill, determination and IQ out does opposing defenses.
I think Davion’s shooting is the key. He’s been flat out terrible up until the last little stretch. If he can even get to average, he’s at least a productive rotation guard. No question about putting in the work, or his form, but that’s not always enough.
If this team is ever to become a regular playoff participant, they have to build on a solid foundation. Going forward I believe both young guards can be part of that. Maybe not the starting backcourt of a championship team, but if they are significant contributors from the 9th and 12th picks that’s a win. And a good place to begin a rebuild. Or, in the Kangz case, a build.
Badge Legend