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NY Knicks’ Draft: National Championship Scouting Guide

By Stephen Samra

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 03: Jalen Suggs #1 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrates with teammates after making a game-winning three point basket in overtime to defeat the UCLA Bruins 93-90 during the 2021 NCAA Final Four semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 03, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - APRIL 03: Jalen Suggs #1 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrates with teammates after making a game-winning three point basket in overtime to defeat the UCLA Bruins 93-90 during the 2021 NCAA Final Four semifinal at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 03, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Davion Mitchell, NY Knicks. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

NY Knicks: Baylor has a dynamo backcourt

Davion Mitchell, Guard

Blink and you’ll miss him. Davion Mitchell is a thrill to watch when Baylor is playing. The guard is quick as a hiccup – by the time a defender realizes Mitchell’s intentions, he’s already at the hoop. It didn’t always look like he would be a first-round pick, especially after he was backing up current Westchester Knicks guard, Jared Harper, at Auburn.

Mitchell always envisioned himself as a star guard on a championship-caliber team – it just took transferring to Baylor to get there. Throughout Baylor’s run, Mitchell’s skills have been turned up to eleven. His suffocating defense, dynamic scoring, and ability to facilitate. His three-point shooting was impressive as well – lighting it up to a tune of 45% from deep in 2020-21. The lightning-quick guard reminds experts of players like Fred Van Vleet – although slightly undersized, he still possesses the ability to take over the game. Imagining Mitchell in Tom Thibodeau’s system should get any NY Knicks fan excited.

Jared Butler, Guard

While Mitchell jumps off the screen when you watch Baylor, the team’s leader is Jared Butler. While he doesn’t possess the raw athleticism that his teammate does, he makes up for it with his ability to shoot and run the offense. Averaging a team-high 16.5 points per game, his ability was on display in their Final Four win against Houston – knocking down four three-pointers and leading his team with 17 points.

Butler would fit well with Thibodeau’s Knicks – his offensive intelligence and willingness to do whatever the team needs to win would translate. While Mitchell’s ceiling may be higher, his floor is much further down than Butler’s. If the Knicks made him their first-round selection, he would fit in beautifully with an offense that features scorers such as Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.

Matthew Mayer, Forward

His hair isn’t the only thing you’ll notice when watching him – Matthew Mayer gives Baylor a jolt of energy anytime he comes off the bench. One of the most underrated prospects in the draft, Mayer is climbing up experts’ draft boards – Chad Ford even saying he can see him as a first-round pick in the draft. It would be surprising to see Mayer selected with one of the Knicks’ first-round picks, but in the second round, they shouldn’t have any qualms about him.

Mayer’s 6-foot-9, 225-pound frame, along with his shooting ability, helps him project as somebody who can provide your team with strong scoring and defense off the bench. Mayer has been overlooked due to the talent of his teammates around him, but some team will take a chance on him. If it’s the NY Knicks, they could reap the benefits of some serious untapped potential.

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