Chicago Bulls: 5 options for pick No. 16 in 2017 NBA Draft
No. 3: Donovan Mitchell
Another area of need for the Bulls heading into next month’s draft is athleticism. Following the trade of Derrick Rose last offseason, the front office promised to get younger and athletic.
While both Dwyane Wade and Rondo contributed in different ways, the Bulls were not an athletic team on any level.
Enter Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell.
According to SI.com, Mitchell is one of the more explosive players in the draft and has the potential to be a two-way specialist. At a somewhat undersized 6’3″, Mitchell posted averages of 15.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per contest.
The Good:
- Despite the lack of size, his 6’10” wingspan makes it difficult for opposing guards to shoot over.
- Made All-ACC first team.
- Crafty with the basketball. Can switch gears instantly, which allows him to frequently split multiple defenders.
- Willingness to pick up opposing players full court.
- Adequate playmaker and active off-the-ball defender, as he averaged 3.4 assists and 2.6 steals on a per-40 minute scale.
- Capable of guarding multiple positions.
The Bad:
- Often settles for contested jump shots.
- Not a great shooter. Converted just 41 percent of his attempts.
- Needs to improve on finishing in the paint. As illustrated in the above video, he converted just 26 percent of his floaters.
- Does not have a defined position. At 6’3″, he is considered undersized in terms of the traditional NBA 2-guard. Additionally, he doesn’t possess the passing skills needed to be considered a true point guard — at least not yet.
As is the case with most players coming out of college, Mitchell has a few areas to work on in order to succeed in the NBA.
On a positive note, he plays bigger than his size on defense and can create his own shot on offense — with the latter attribute being something the Bulls are sorely lacking on their current roster.