A contending NBA team can be an unforgiving place for a young player. Inexperience can be a barrier to success. When a young player falls out of a contending team’s rotation, that doesn’t necessarily mean that their career is in trouble.
Take Davion Mitchell of the Sacramento Kings. For his first couple of seasons, Mitchell was impressive. This year, he’s taken on a significantly reduced role.
We shouldn’t discredit the first two years of Mitchell’s career. The Kings are contenders – his development is a secondary priority at best.
With that in mind, the Kings might as well move him. What’s the value in keeping Mitchell if they aren’t going to put him on the floor? The Kings should flip him for a player they can use.
Could they send him to the San Antonio Spurs?
NBA Trade Proposal: San Antonio Spurs Land Sacramento Kings’ Davion Mitchell
Sacramento Kings Receive: G/F Cedi Osman, 2024 Second-Round Pick (LAL via SAS), 2025 Second-Round Pick (CHI via SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: G Davion Mitchell
With that said, if Mitchell were truly thriving, he’d have held his place in the Kings rotation. Sure, he was always likely to remain behind De’Aaron Fox in the rotation.
Still, for a while. he looked like an ideal backup for Fox. What happened? It’s been a combination of factors. Mitchell is a defense-first guard. He’s also undersized. That’s a problematic combination.
At times, the Kings have opted to run Malik Monk at point. That gives them plus positional size. Moreover, Keon Ellis has developed into a rotation player as well.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs Updates
So, Mitchell may never be an NBA starter. As talented as he is, he’s got some functional limitations. Still, it feels like a team could find more use for him than the Kings have this season.
Could the Spurs be that team?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
Absolutely. The Spurs have one of the worst point guard rotations in the NBA. In all likelihood, they’d start Mitchell following this deal. For what it’s worth, he brings more to the table than Trae Jones.
Will he be their long-term starter? We wouldn’t go that far. Still, getting Mitchell some long-term reps as a starter could help his long-term development.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs Updates
The Spurs could add a meaningful rotation player for years by making this deal. Sure, Osman is likely more impactful right now. That’s fine – the Spurs are among the worst teams in the NBA. This team’s focus is on the future.
Is Osman the right piece for Sacramento in the present?
Why The Sacramento Kings Do The Deal
Hopefully, Osman won’t see many more minutes than Mitchell in this rotation. The Kings have a unique wing rotation. They’ve got Keegan Murray and Harrison Barnes; otherwise, Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter can handle minutes at the 3.
Sure. Still, Osman is a more traditional three than either. Meanwhile, wing depth is critical to a contending team in the modern NBA. Osman would be a meaningful addition, even if his minutes are limited.
As a veteran, he’s more likely to impact winning than Mitchell is. That’s the point here. The Kings are contenders. Having demoted Mitchell, they won’t get a haul for him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Davion Mitchell, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs Updates
A rotation player like Osman ought to suffice. As a veteran, he should find his way on the contending Kings.
