Donovan Mitchell and his unique fit with the Detroit Pistons
Donovan Mitchell is one of the top prospects expected to be available come the 12th pick and the Detroit Pistons would be clever to draft him.
Assuming the Detroit Pistons succumb to their urges and hold onto the 12th pick, Donovan Mitchell should be atop Detroit’s draft board.
Mitchell, the two year prospect out of Louisville, brings a need Detroit desperately covets: a backup shooting guard. As the roster stands, the only true shooting guard on the depth chart is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. Caldwell-Pope is the three-and-D player GM’s and coaches across the board salivate over. Considering Pope is a restricted free agent with multiple teams able to throw lucrative deals his way (the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers chief among them), expect him to be back on board with a max contract come next season for Detroit.
With only Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who will Detroit add to help bolster the depth at the shooting guard spot?
Related Story: Who wants Kentavious Caldwell-Pope?
Per Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press, Detroit is interested in adding the services of shooting guard C.J. Miles. Miles would bring his savvy three point shooting to the second unit, but in all reality, he chooses to ring-chase. So what does that leave Detroit with? Donovan Mitchell.
Donovan Mitchell brings it all with his lateral quickness, positional diversity, and spot-up shooting threat.
At 6’3″, Mitchell can easily interchange between point guard and shooting guard. This brings additional help to the point guard spot for Detroit, especially if the injury bug inhibits Reggie Jackson once again. Ish Smith proved his worth last season, carrying Detroit by starting in 32 games. All in all, having a third option in Mitchell at point guard is quite appealing for Detroit.
Slotting into the second unit at shooting guard, Mitchell adds another scoring option, as well as a defensive energy surge. Although his 6’3″ frame is trifling compared to other guards in the league, he offers speed and an extensive vertical (40.5″).
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Joining the second unit, Mitchell would be a prominent rotational piece for Detroit. Considering his unique size and athletic ability, Detroit can use him in more ways than one. Whether it be at point guard, shooting guard, or even small forward, Mitchell can and will make an impact.
The positional diversity isn’t all that draws Mitchell to Detroit.
Considering Detroit ranked 28th in three point percentage a season ago, connecting on 33 percent, they are looking to bring aboard an avid shooting threat. Mitchell scored on 35.4 percent of his three point attempts in his final season at Louisville, as well as an optimal 46.3 percent from two point range. The perfect threat Detroit desperately needs.
Next: Donovan Mitchell or Luke Kennard?
With twenty days left until the 2017 NBA draft, speculation among all prospects is daunting. Considering this is all speculation, it comes down to the first eleven players selected. Detroit will have the scraps of the lottery in their hands, as well as the future of the Pistons organization.