Sacramento Kings: 5 options for pick No. 10 in 2017 NBA Draft
3. Donovan Mitchell, SG, Louisville
2016-17 stats: 34 GP, 15.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.1 SPG, .5 BPG, 1.6 TOV, 40.8 FG%, 35.4 3P%, 80.6 FT%
Most likely the biggest riser in the ongoing pre-draft process, Donovan Mitchell has become quite the coveted name, especially after his exceptional showing at this year’s NBA Draft Combine.
With his dazzling athleticism and incredible physical profile, Mitchell is well suited to become a high impact two-way wing that NBA teams are always in need of in this day and age.
Due to his versatility and his high motor, Mitchell is simply a problem for his assignment to shake on the defensive end of the floor. While he is undersized standing at 6’3″, he more than makes up for it with his long arms and his strong frame, which helps him even defend opposing swingmen from time to time.
Although his offensive abilities come with a few question marks, Mitchell’s productivity on that end took a big jump as a sophomore this year with the Cardinals.
Mitchell made considerable strides as a three-point shooter and showed some creativity with the ball in his hands, specifically operating out of pick-and-roll situations. But with concerns over his finishing ability and whether he can act as a full-time playmaker, to what height Mitchell becomes as a player offensively is the question teams are weighing at this very moment.
Due to his rising draft stock, there’s no question at this point to whether Mitchell is on the Kings’ radar as he held a draft workout in Sacramento earlier this week. In regard to his theoretical fit, however, it’s not as clear-cut as one might like, due to the questions over Mitchell’s eventual role offensively and the many options the Kings have at shooting guard currently.
The upside alone is enough for the Kings to consider Mitchell at No. 10, but it may not be enough for them to ultimately select him, especially if a player of higher value who also plays at a position of need is still on the board.