Detroit Pistons: Draft picks rising up the big boards after NCAA tournament

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – APRIL 05: Davion Mitchell #45 of the Baylor Bears reacts during the National Championship game of the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 05, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Possible Detroit Pistons draft picks: Davion Mitchell, Baylor

Davion Mitchell’s junior season exceeded all expectations. Baylor took home the program’s first NCAA Championship, Mitchell made the All-Tournament team, and a national audience finally got to see the game’s greatest competitor at work.

Mitchell, an Auburn transfer, came into the NCAA as the 63rd ranked player in the class of 2017. At the beginning of the season, many big boards had him pegged as a late first or second round prospect. That has certainly changed. Looking at the updated boards this morning, Mitchell now falls comfortably in the lottery, just behind his teammate Jared Butler.

This tournament most showcased Mitchell’s unmatched intensity. Many took notice, including Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell.

Strengths: Mitchell could be the best on-ball defender in the entire draft class. He showed during the tournament he can be an efficient scorer in stretches. He is a vocal leader, a heady open floor player, and possesses the skills needed to be an effective combo guard in the NBA. For comparisons sake think Marcus Smart, but with more offensive potential.

Weaknesses: He needs to improve as a facilitator and polish his general offensive game. Mitchell hasn’t been a great free throw shooter his entire college career, leaving some doubt for his shot translating at the next level. He is also 22-years-old, a few years older than fellow guards in the lottery.

Fit with the Pistons: If the Detroit Pistons fell late enough in the draft to select Mitchell, fans would be irate with their lottery luck. Mitchell is the type of player that can fit with just about any NBA team, but he is not a prospect who can turn a bad team into a playoff contender. Think of him more as a plug and play starter or rotation guy at the next level. The Pistons could draft Mitchell by acquiring another first round pick, but the chances of him getting taken with the teams’ top pick are slim to none.