NBA Rumors: Western Conference rival has Kings’ Davion Mitchell on their radar
By Logan Struck
The Phoenix Suns have a lot going on around their organization, the most recent event being the waiving of future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul. While the news shocked every NBA fan, it makes sense why the Suns would do this. Phoenix was about 20 days away from having to pay Chris Paul his guaranteed $30.8 million, so by waiving him, the Suns saved themselves from paying him the hefty load.
With a new coaching staff, the Suns might be looking toward a roster overhaul, or they could be looking to save money and re-sign the 38-year-old guard for cheaper.
How does the waiving of Chris Paul affect the Sacramento Kings? Are the Kings going to target CP3? No. The Kings have no reason to go after the veteran point guard, but the Phoenix Suns now have a reason to go after a certain Sacramento guard.
Reports suggest the Suns could target Sacramento Kings’ Davion Mitchell.
Recent reports (via Yahoo! Sports) say Davion Mitchell has “been on the Suns’ radar.” Mitchell is coming off his sophomore season, and the Suns are interested in acquiring a young point guard to replace Chris Paul. While the Suns might be looking for a more prominent name to pair with superstars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, Davion Mitchell would be a great addition to their roster.
The 24-year-old has earned the name “Off Night” for his incredible lock-down defense and intensity. Two major things the Suns lacked in their playoff loss: depth and intensity. If the Suns want to target Mitchell, they must pry him from the Kings, as they value him as their backup point guard.
Davion Mitchell, the 9th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, had an incredible rookie year, but his production decreased this year, causing his numbers to dip. He averaged 5.6 points, 2.3 assists, and 0.6 steals on 45/32/80 shooting splits. While his stats were not great, his impact does not show in the box score. Mitchell’s defensive intensity and hustle make him a valuable asset, and the Suns see his value if they are targeting him to be their next point guard.
While the Sacramento Kings should listen to whatever trade the Suns could offer, they must make sure they receive the same value in return. Davion Mitchell is a fantastic player, and while it would be sad to see him dealt to a division rival especially, the Kings need to make a move if it improves the team.
