ESPN's Bobby Marks identifies former top-10 pick as Timberwolves trade target

Davion Mitchell averages just over 12 minutes per game for the Kings.

Add Davion Mitchell's name to the list of interesting trade targets for the Minnesota Timberwolves. 

While his name hasn't been directly linked to the Timberwolves, ESPN's Bobby Marks has identified him as a player he'd like to see Minnesota go after before the Feb. 8 NbA trade deadline. 

Marks' trade idea: Minnesota gets Mitchell from Sacramento in exchange for Jordan McLaughlin, Josh Minott and a 2030 second-round pick. 

According to The Athletic, the price for Mitchell could be multiple second-round picks. The idea of giving up Minott and a future second-round pick would meet that threshold because Minott was the 45th overall pick in 2022. 

But do the Timberwolves want to give up on Minott for Mitchell, who despite being a top-10 pick (ninth overall) in 2021 is stuck on the Kings' bench and averaging just 3.5 points per game while shooting bricks from all over the floor. He's shooting 36.1% overall and 23.7% from 3-point range. 

Minott has gotten into 15 games in garbage time with the Wolves this season but he's been a force in the G League for the Iowa Wolves, averaging 18.4 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 53.8% from the field and blocking 2.3 shots per game. 

Minott turned 21 just two months ago while Mitchell is 25 years old. 

"It says a lot about Mitchell’s offensive struggles that the Kings have found it hard to get his defensive energy and aggression on the floor," the profile of Mitchell from The Athletic reads. "He’s still an absolute menace on defense, flying around with reckless abandon and causing issues at the point of attack for opposing perimeter players. However, he’s been one of the worst offensive players in the league so far this year, posting awful shooting percentages from the field and from 3."

Timberwolves insider Jon Krawczynski said on his podcast this week that Minnesota could be aggressive at the trade deadline as they search for two primary needs: 1) backup point guard and 2) scoring off the bench. 

Overall, the trade idea only makes sense if Minnesota feels Mitchell can live up to the hype that comes with being a top-10 pick. If not, then McLaughlin is probably a better backup and it certainly wouldn't be worth punting on Minott's high ceiling. 

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Dec 31, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) dribbles as Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart (36) defends during the first half at FedExForum / Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports