San Antonio Spurs: Davion Mitchell should be top priority in the NBA draft

Despite their name recognition, the San Antonio Spurs have lacked a level of physicality, a trait that Baylor’s Davion Mitchell thrives on. So, it would be ideal for pairing them together, right? The Spurs have the opportunity to do so, provided the odds fall in their favor when the NBA Draft rolls around.

San Antonio is currently scheduled to pick at 12th overall on July 29th, the day when the draft rolls around and a new group of young prospects roll right into the league. The Spurs, however, cannot afford to miss out on this year’s crop.

The San Antonio Spurs could benefit from Davion Mitchell’s physicality and should make selecting him a priority in next week’s NBA draft.

As it is well documented, San Antonio is not the same team it once was, the team that represented a small market and knocked off larger markets and names to win NBA Championships.

Gone are Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili. This era of Spurs basketball has been severely lacking. Though Kawhi Leonard provided some optimism, he, too, has left town. Now, the franchise needs a face, and a gritty one at that, to restore their brand. That’s where Mitchell comes in.

Those who watch college basketball consistently fully understand the magnitude of why Mitchell would pair well with Gregg Popovich. For one, as stated before, he plays with aggression.

The other reason, Mitchell is a winner, as evidenced by Baylor’s victory over previously undefeated Gonzaga in the national championship game.

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Given how the draft is expected to play out this year, it’s highly likely that Davion Mitchell might not be available by the time San Antonio steps to the podium to make its selection. However, that doesn’t mean that the draft cannot play out in a way that the Spurs would hope to have Mitchell fall into their lap.

If they are fortunate to land Mitchell, the rest of the draft and this offseason will need to be prioritized around shooters and physicality. Talent is not really the issue in San Antonio. But talent doesn’t win games, as evidenced by how San Antonio has played over the last few seasons.

They need new blood, and given how the Western Conference is shaping out to be with teams like the Suns, Clippers, Lakers, Mavericks, and Jazz, there isn’t much room for error, and playoff spots will be scarce, even with a play-in tournament.

Ultimately, R.C. Buford and Popovich will collaborate with each other and ultimately make the decision for San Antonio when it comes time for the Spurs to make a selection on draft day.

However, if when they get to their selection, Davion Mitchell is still on the board, the Spurs must stop calls from other teams, place a call for the selection of Mitchell, race to the podium, and ensure he is theirs.

It sounds like a complex task, but the benefits that can follow will be worth the price. The resume doesn’t lie, and in this day and age, your resume matters as much as your skills. Mitchell has both, making him the perfect player for the San Antonio Spurs.