The Toronto Raptors acquired Davion Mitchell from the Sacramento Kings this offseason.
Toronto acquired Mitchell, Sasha Vezenkov and the No. 45 pick in the NBA Draft, which ended up being Jamal Shead. Vezenkov ended up being bought out by Toronto and returned overseas.
But, for Mitchell he is looking to be a rotation piece for the Raptors. After earning a reputation as a pesky defender, he fits head coach Darko Rajakovic’s defensive ideologies.
However, the former Baylor Bear is in the final year of his contract. Monday was the final day to get rookie extensions done, but Mitchell went without one.
Meaning that the No. 9 pick in 2021 will head into restricted free agency with a qualifying offer of $8.7 million. When the time comes, Toronto will have to make a decision on whether to extend that qualifying offer or not.
After averaging 5.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists on 45.2 percent shooting from the field and 36.1 percent shooting from three-point range last season, Mitchell is looking to re-establish himself.
In his first three seasons in the NBA, the 6’2″ guard’s production has decreased along with his minutes. Last year was the lowest minutes per game he averaged at 15.3.
While his three-point shooting was the best of his young career last season, Mitchell needs to sustain it for a bench role with the Raptors.
Essentially, the 26-year-old is playing for his next contract and it is not a given. Hopefully a change a scenery can do wonders for Mitchell, but it may boil down to if he can shoot at least league average from three-point distance, which is about 35 percent.
An underrated part of Mitchell’s game is his playmaking. He notably dropped 10 assists against the Boston Celtics in the preseason. Perhaps he will be able to put it all together for the Raptors this season.
Darko Rajakovic reveals plan for Davion Mitchell this season
Davion Mitchell is slated to be the Raptors backup point guard for this season.
Head coach Darko Rajakovic revealed his plan for Mitchell, which includes utilizing his on-ball defense and playmaking chops.
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