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New York Knicks: Team-specific 2017 NBA Mock Draft with trades 1.0

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives against Clemson Tigers forward Elijah Thomas (14) and Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives against Clemson Tigers forward Elijah Thomas (14) and Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half of an ACC Conference Tournament game at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 7, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives in the second half of their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. The Cardinals won 65-50. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives in the second half of their game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at McCamish Pavilion. The Cardinals won 65-50. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 1, Pick 12 (via Pistons): Donovan Mitchell, Louisville Cardinals

Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 20 (9/7/1996)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3″, 210 pounds, 6’10”
2016-17 Slash Line: .408/.354/.806
2016-17 Season Averages: 32.3 MPG, 15.6 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.1 SPG, 2.4 3PM

Donovan Mitchell, like projected Top 10 pick Malik Monk, is an elite athlete with an undersized frame for a shooting guard. He stands at 6’3″ with a 40.5″ max vertical leap and a faster three quarter sprint (3.01 seconds) than Derrick Rose, John Wall, and Russell Westbrook.

While Monk’s subpar wingspan and questionable strength offer reasons for concern, however, Mitchell boasts a 6’10” wingspan and is a solid 210 pounds.

Offensively, Mitchell isn’t quite the scorer that Monk is, but he has the tools to be an effective player. He’s a fearless shooter with NBA range, which would help him excel in off-ball scenarios within the triangle offense.

On the downside, Mitchell needs to improve his ability to drive left, and must finish with more consistency at the rim. Thankfully, his work ethic has been heralded and his self-awareness is refreshing.

Per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer:

"“Everybody in the NBA is just like that. Everybody in the NBA is [long and athletic],” Mitchell said. “Being able to play against … 7-footers with 7-foot-7 wingspans in the paint [means] working on floaters and getting space.”"

Practicing with Kristaps Porzingis would help.

Defensively, Mitchell has been compared to All-Defense mainstay Avery Bradley of the Boston Celtics. He’s a pest in the way he pressures the ball, does an outstanding job of creating turnovers—2.6 steals per 40 minutes—and has the strength and length to defend both guard spots.

Alongside Dennis Smith Jr., Mitchell would be tasked with defending both guard spots, spacing the floor, and providing balance as a distributor.

If this plays out as listed, the Knicks could build a backcourt comparable to that of the Boston Celtics—and do so with two players who have the physical gifts to sustainably succeed.

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