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As news came out that Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell will participate in the Slam Dunk Contest to replace Aaron Gordon, it was expected that there would be player who was going to be named to take over his place in the Skills Challenge. It did not take long for it to be revealed, as it has now been reported that Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield will replace him in the event, according to Eric Woodyard of the Deseret News.
Sacramento’s Buddy Hield will replace Donovan Mitchell in the Skills Challenge.
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) February 5, 2018
Hield is enjoying a solid year, averaging 12.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals in 24.0 minutes per game. With the Kings as one of the bottom teams in the Western Conference, he could see more playing time as the season progresses, together with their other young players to allow them to be more familiar with each other’s games and have more experience under their belts. Whenever he’s on the court, he has shown that he can shoot well from the perimeter, drive to the basket when needed and can even locate his open teammates, which makes him a deserving replacement for the Skills Challenge.
Mitchell, on the other hand, was originally thought of by many as a clear choice to receive an invite for the Slam Dunk Contest as he has shown throughout the season that he is a high-flyer, who can throw down some powerful slams to the delight of the fans. Now that he is slated to participate, it will certainly be fun to watch him compete against Victor Oladipo, Larry Nance Jr. and his fellow rookie Dennis Smith Jr. in what promises to be an exciting main event on All-Star Saturday Night.
