Player #2: Davion Mitchell
Defense is Davion Mitchell’s calling card. He can stay with pretty much every guard in the league and make their night miserable, but at times, it was not enough to keep him on the court. The Kings relied heavily on outscoring opponents rather than on defense, and Mitchell struggled offensively.
Compared to his rookie season, his playing time was diminished in the Kings’ new system, and his production dropped to 5.6 points per game. He struggled especially from beyond the arc, so an improved jump shot is the key to more playing time and a reputation as a solid two-way player.
Accordingly, Mitchell spent the summer improving his shot and even worked with Steph Curry’s shooting coach. If all that hard work can carry over to the upcoming season, he might very well be ready to take a third-year leap.
That could not only improve his individual performance but also that of the team as a whole. If Mitchell can play increased minutes, it will do wonders for the Kings’ perimeter defense. He and Fox together on the court in meaningful minutes could make for a scary defensive backcourt.
At the same time, an offensive jump and more minutes on the court would really put him on the map as one of the best on-ball defenders in the league. Few fans outside the Kings fanbase regularly watch Mitchell play.
Even with the team’s newfound success, he is still an under-the-radar player. If he has a breakout season and plays a bigger role in the Kings’ continued success, he could truly shock the basketball world.