Mitchell thanks Kings and Sacramento fans in heartfelt post after trade originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
Former lottery pick Davion Mitchell was a solid player during his three-year stint in Sacramento before being traded on June 27th for the Toronto Raptors.
The 25-year-old guard served as a key defensive back for the Kings, and although his role has diminished after a strong rookie season, he is grateful for the experience in Sactown.
Mitchell posted a statement on Wednesday to Instagram, thanking the Kings organization and their fans for their support.
The message reads: “To the incredible city of Sacramento and all the incredible fans, thank you.
“From the moment I was drafted, you welcomed me with open arms and supported me through all the ups and downs. To my teammates, coaches, trainers and staff, thank you for everything. These memories we created are unforgettable and I loved growing together on and off the court.
“Sacramento, you believed in me from the beginning and you will always have a special place in my heart. It was an honor to cradle the Kings in my chest.
“I’m excited for the next chapter, but I’ll never forget where it all began.”
Over his tenure with the Kings, Mitchell averaged 7.4 points and 2.8 assists in 20.4 minutes per game while shooting 32.7% from 3-point range. He was often tasked with key defensive matchups, as his ball skills were an important trait coming off a national championship winning season at Baylor.
Mitchell, together with striker Sasha Vezenkov and the No. 45 pick in last week’s NBA Draft, was traded to Toronto for sixth-year wing Jalen McDaniels.
With his minutes decreasing in the backcourt alongside Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk, Mitchell will look for more opportunities on a young Raptors team.
No matter his future role, he will certainly be welcomed back to Sacramento next season as a visitor.
