The Toronto Raptors have initiated a trade to bring guard Davion Mitchell and forward Sasha Vezenkov to their squad, along with acquiring the rights to Jamal Shead and a 2025 second-round draft pick (via Portland) from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for forward Jalen McDaniels.
In response to the transaction, Raptors General Manager Bobby Webster expressed, “This exchange provides us with a mix of seasoned and youthful players, along with promising talents and future picks, all in our pursuit of success on the basketball court. We eagerly welcome Davion, Sasha, and Jamal to our team and the vibrant city of Toronto. We thank Jalen for his contributions and wish him prosperity in his forthcoming endeavors.”
Mitchell, standing tall at 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 pounds, maintained an average of 5.3 points, 1.9 assists, 1.3 rebounds, and 15.3 minutes in 72 games (including four starts) during his tenure with Sacramento last season. His shooting accuracy stood at .452 (146-323) from the field, including .361 (57-158) from beyond the three-point line, achieving double-digit scoring in 12 instances. Throughout his career, Mitchell holds an average of 7.4 points, 2.8 assists, 1.6 rebounds, and 20.4 minutes in 227 games (with 32 starts).
Originally from Hinesville, Georgia, Mitchell was the ninth pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and showcased his talents at both Auburn (2017-18) and Baylor (2019-21). Notably, he played a key role in Baylor’s 2021 NCAA Championship triumph and earned the esteemed Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award.
Vezenkov, measuring at 6-foot-9 and weighing 225 pounds, appeared in 42 games for the Kings last season, boasting an average of 5.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 12.2 minutes on the court, with an impressive shooting efficiency of 44% (84-191) from the field and .375 (45-120) from long range, delivering double-digit performances in eight games.
Originally picked as the 57th selection in the 2017 NBA Draft by Brooklyn, Sacramento acquired Vezenkov’s draft rights in June 2022. Prior to his stint with the Kings, Vezenkov spent five successful seasons (2018-2023) with Olympiacos in Greece, where he was hailed as the Euroleague MVP in 2023. The native of Nicosia, Cyprus, also exhibited his skills internationally with FC Barcelona (2015-18) in Spain and Aris Basketball Club (2011-15) in Greece.
Noteworthy, Shead, weighing in at 201 pounds and standing at 6 feet tall, was drafted as the 45th overall pick by Sacramento in the 2024 NBA Draft. A standout performer at Houston (2020-24) with impressive averages of 9.7 points, 5.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 27.5 minutes over 138 games (108 starts). Shead was recognized in the previous season as the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and notably achieved the unique feat of claiming both Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors in the same season in Big 12 history. Born in Manor, Texas, he capped his career as the second-most successful player in Cougars history, boasting a remarkable 120-18 record.
On the flip side, McDaniels averaged 3.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 10.8 minutes in 50 games (with one start) for the Raptors last season. He joined the team via free agency in July 2023.
Image Source: Jalen McDaniels @ Instagram
