Kings Send G Davion Mitchell to Pistons in New B/R Trade Proposal

This NBA offseason, the Sacramento Kings kept their roster moves pretty quiet. Besides making moves to add on F Sasha Vezenkov and G Chris Duarte, the team will forecast to look very similar in structure as it did last year.

However, a slight roster shuffle before entering training camp isn’t an event that is completely unseen in the league. With the right deal, Monte McNair could pull the trigger on something late in the final weeks of the offseason to create enhanced value or provide a better fit.

Bleacher Report presented a new hypothetical offer for the Kings to consider, this time with a proposal to do business with the Detroit Pistons:

Sacramento Kings receive: G Killian Hayes

Detroit Pistons receive: G Davion Mitchell

Killian Hayes was the 7th overall pick for the Pistons in the 2020 NBA Draft. He’s coming off a season averaging improved counting stats of 10.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, but underwhelming shooting splits continued to persist (37.7/28.0/82.1).

Adding Hayes could provide some improved guard depth and an additional playmaker to the roster but effectively rids them of the team’s best guard defender and the better shot-maker. Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey added some context as to why this proposal would be one for Sacramento to act on if presented:

Consider this something of a prove-it deal for both Davion Mitchell and Killian Hayes, both of whom had well-below-replacement level box plus/minuses last season. This move would give the Sacramento Kings a more natural ball-mover who's three inches taller and three years younger than Mitchell. It also fills a need at backup point guard, where Mitchell is currently slotted, even though he often plays more like an off-ball guard. The Detroit Pistons already have plenty of playmaking from Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and now Ausar Thompson. Plugging Mitchell's tenacious defense into the rotation would make sense.

Hayes currently stands on the last year of his rookie deal, with diminishing incentive from Detroit to retain him. If the Kings felt they needed to switch up the backcourt of the second unit, this trade could be one to look into. However, signs point to the Kings remaining set and looking into next season with the roster as-is.

Now zoning into less than two weeks until the start of training camps, Kings fans can anticipate another exciting season approaching very soon.

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