Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton recently expressed his excitement about playing with rookie Davion Mitchell this season given his potential fit with the team.
The Kings selected Mitchell ninth in the NBA draft after a sensational junior year with Baylor, in which he helped the Bears claim the national championship. Mitchell was also named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.
With other guards on the roster, including De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield and Terence Davis, the addition of Mitchell was met with some skepticism because of their crowded backcourt. However, Haliburton said on the “Old Man & the Three” podcast that he likes the fit with Mitchell.
I’m really interested and really excited about it. I think the first, instant reaction by a lot of people was, ‘Why would the Kings take another guard when you already have two guards?’ I see the fit because they are bringing in another guy who is very defensive-minded. He was the National Defensive Player of the Year last year in college basketball.
I think if you keep bringing in more guys that are about the right things — they want to win, are proven winners and talented guys — it is going to help. I’m really excited about it. I think by guarding (Fox and Mitchell) and playing alongside them in my limited time with Davion in runs, I would say they both have a really quick twitch and are really fast to get up and down. I like to run as well so I definitely see a fit with those two.
Mitchell was named co-MVP of the Las Vegas Summer League after averaging 10.8 points, 5.8 assists and 1.4 rebounds. He shot 47.1% from 3-point range and flashed his elite defensive ability throughout his time in Las Vegas.
The addition of Mitchell figures to give the Kings a potential elite 3-and-D player given his ability on both ends of the floor. His selection may have been questioned by some but it is evident that he should check a lot of boxes for the Kings.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
[lawrence-related id=33368,32182,30496]
[mm-video type=video id=01febs9f38yem812nkxs playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f1jxkahtwnvzepyp image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01febs9f38yem812nkxs/01febs9f38yem812nkxs-dd27b73aac40377e51ea1e8d20140b95.jpg]
[listicle id=37550]