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New York Knicks: 2017 NBA Draft Shooting Guards To Keep An Eye On

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 4, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) runs past St. John's Red Storm forward Richard Freudenberg (20) for a score during the second half at Wells Fargo. The Villanova Wildcats won 92-79. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Villanova Wildcats guard Josh Hart (3) runs past St. John's Red Storm forward Richard Freudenberg (20) for a score during the second half at Wells Fargo. The Villanova Wildcats won 92-79. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2017; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) controls the ball during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Silvio O. Conte Forum. The Louisville Cardinals won 90-67. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Chestnut Hill, MA, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) controls the ball during the second half against the Boston College Eagles at Silvio O. Conte Forum. The Louisville Cardinals won 90-67. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Donovan Mitchell, Louisville Cardinals

Projected: Late First Round
Age: 20 (9/7/1996)
Height & Weight: 6’3″ & 200 pounds
2016-17 Slash Line: .413/.373/.803
2016-17 Season Averages: 30.3 MPG, 15.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.6 APG, 2.1 SPG, 2.3 3PM

If the New York Knicks are looking for a 3-and-D shooting guard, then Donovan Mitchell could be the best option. He’s a Rick Pitino player, which should appeal to Knicks fans who know the franchise’s history, as well as a rising star on draft boards.

The sophomore has earned a reputation as a big-game performer and has the tools to be a high-level role player at the next level.

Mitchell’s active hands and fearlessness as a 3-point shooter make him an alluring prospect. He has the tenacity as an on-ball defender that the Knicks have been sorely missing in 2016-17, as well as the ability to create turnovers that’s been just as devastatingly absent.

Offensively, Mitchell is comparable to Courtney Lee in that he can space the floor, put it on the floor, and facilitate at a respectable enough level to complement a true point guard.

The issues with Mitchell are based in size. That includes his height at 6’3″ and the fact that his success has a small sample size. He’s been efficient in 2016-17, but he shot just 25.0 percent from 3-point range in 2015-16.

Mitchell is an impressive athlete who’s rising up draft boards, however, and it would behoove Phil Jackson and the Knicks to work him out and evaluate his fit and upside.

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