Donovan Mitchell - where's the hype?

[Chi town]

He reminds me of Marcus Smart w a much better shot and better offensive game.

[zzaj]

Glad this thread came up, as I've seen his name come up a few times as a Blazer pick.

It will be really interesting to see how DM measures out. Marcus Smart was 17 lbs heavier at roughly the same age and of course he had that +7.5" wingspan. If Mitchell's uptick in 3pt shooting isn't a fluke and his wingspan measures out well, I can certainly see the value and would expect him to rise into the teens.

I do question his fit on the current Blazers, as he probably would be playing behind both Crabbe/Turner at backup SG, and Lillard/CJ and potentially even Napier at PG. I'm not sure if Mitchell can run an offense at the NBA level yet. It would be wonderful if the Blazers could open up some PT by getting rid of Turner and his awful contract, but I don't see that happening any time soon.

All this being said, there is value for a 3&D SG/PG if workouts show NBA GMs that he has those next level skills.

[RipCity71252]

Slow day at work so decided to watch some more Mitchell today, focusing primarily on his defense.

Still really like his tools on ball. Great combination of frame/quick feet/change of direction and I think he navigates screens pretty well, but looks to be pretty spacey off the ball and defensive positioning overall is really hit or miss at this point.

All correctable things but just wanted to get my thoughts out there.

[RipCity71252]

Ok, I think another worry for me with Mitchell is his tendency to float in and out of games energy wise. With the frame and athletic tools he has, you'd like to see him play with more energy, but he'll go 10-15 minute stretches where he seems totally disengaged defensively and really jumpshot heavy offensively.

I still back the Marcus Smart/ Current Eric Gordon hybrid comparison, but he doesn't compete on the level of Smart right now and his offensive skiil level/IQ/mentality are still a work in progress.

Love his tools and projectable skillset, but I think I need to pump the brakes on him. Might take him a little longer to find his way in the nba than I originally thought.

[cksdayoff]

6'3" in shoes with a 6'10" wingspan. a lot of people assumed he had at least a 6'7" or a 6'8" wingspan like marcus smart, but he's longer than smart, has the same motor on the defensive side with a good looking jumper that probably just needs a minor tweak.

[jonjames]

6'3" in shoes with a 6'10" wingspan. a lot of people assumed he had at least a 6'7" or a 6'8" wingspan like marcus smart, but he's longer than smart, has the same motor on the defensive side with a good looking jumper that probably just needs a minor tweak.

He's also vertically more explosive than smart.

[vincecarter4pres]

He'd be lethal on a team with a young 2 guard who plays a lot on ball and can run an offense, let him man the point, mainly on defense though.

A little disappointed he came in so short, but his wingspan is legit and he obviously has all the proper athletic tools for that side of the ball.

[MotownMadness]

Piston bound

[JohnnyKILLroy]

He'd be lethal on a team with a young 2 guard who plays a lot on ball and can run an offense, let him man the point, mainly on defense though.

A little disappointed he came in so short, but his wingspan is legit and he obviously has all the proper athletic tools for that side of the ball.

Jimmy Butler.

[No-Man]

He'd be lethal on a team with a young 2 guard who plays a lot on ball and can run an offense, let him man the point, mainly on defense though.

A little disappointed he came in so short, but his wingspan is legit and he obviously has all the proper athletic tools for that side of the ball.

Jimmy Butler.

yeah, that'd be pretty neat, doubt he lasts that long though

[vincecarter4pres]

He'd be lethal on a team with a young 2 guard who plays a lot on ball and can run an offense, let him man the point, mainly on defense though.

A little disappointed he came in so short, but his wingspan is legit and he obviously has all the proper athletic tools for that side of the ball.

Jimmy Butler.

yeah, that'd be pretty neat, doubt he lasts that long though

Agreed on both accounts. Think he goes between 8 and 12.

[mattg]

Think 10 is his floor at the moment. You can make a damn strong case he's a better prospect than Malik Monk.

This is a weird draft for guards. Very deep and a bunch are gonna go in the top 10. But I wouldn't be totally shocked if the 2 best perimeter players were taken between 10-25 this year (the group with Mitchell, Diallo, Frank Jackson, Tyler Dorsey)

[doordoor123]

Think 10 is his floor at the moment. You can make a damn strong case he's a better prospect than Malik Monk.

This is a weird draft for guards. Very deep and a bunch are gonna go in the top 10. But I wouldn't be totally shocked if the 2 best perimeter players were taken between 10-25 this year (the group with Mitchell, Diallo, Frank Jackson, Tyler Dorsey)

Mitchell is my guy, but I don't think you can make the case for him over Malik Monk. Monk has much better handle, he has a super high release, elite vertical and he's super quick.

[GimmeDat]

I think he ends up somewhere between E'Twaun Moore and Eric Gordon. They're the archetype that instantly come to mind.

Undersized 2 guards with decent handles, a really composed, compact shot, good athleticism, etc.

[vincecarter4pres]

I think he ends up somewhere between E'Twaun Moore and Eric Gordon. They're the archetype that instantly come to mind.

Undersized 2 guards with decent handles, a really composed, compact shot, good athleticism, etc.

I'd say his ultimate upside is what Gordon was "supposed to be", or a super charged Avery Bradley though. Not saying it's likely he hits that ceiling, but to me that's his top top.

[jonjames]

I think he ends up somewhere between E'Twaun Moore and Eric Gordon. They're the archetype that instantly come to mind.

Undersized 2 guards with decent handles, a really composed, compact shot, good athleticism, etc.

I'd say his ultimate upside is what Gordon was "supposed to be", or a super charged Avery Bradley though. Not saying it's likely he hits that ceiling, but to me that's his top top.

I like Mitchell alot.I think he will be one of the best players in this draft selected outside the lottery..having said that it's highly unlikely he will be what Eric Gordon was supposed to be. Which woukd be 25+ppg on good efficincy and solid defense in his prime. He was the complete package offensively 3point range, off the dribble mid range, drive and finish..he was better than Rose and Harden in high school class of 07 and college. Mitchell would have to be drafted in ideal situation and improve his game tremendously while in league ala jimmy Butler to replicate close to that.

[vincecarter4pres]

I think he ends up somewhere between E'Twaun Moore and Eric Gordon. They're the archetype that instantly come to mind.

Undersized 2 guards with decent handles, a really composed, compact shot, good athleticism, etc.

I'd say his ultimate upside is what Gordon was "supposed to be", or a super charged Avery Bradley though. Not saying it's likely he hits that ceiling, but to me that's his top top.

I like Mitchell alot.I think he will be one of the best players in this draft selected outside the lottery..having said that it's highly unlikely he will be what Eric Gordon was supposed to be. Which woukd be 25+ppg on good efficincy and solid defense in his prime. He was the complete package offensively 3point range, off the dribble mid range, drive and finish..he was better than Rose and Harden in high school class of 07 and college. Mitchell would have to be drafted in ideal situation and improve his game tremendously while in league ala jimmy Butler to replicate close to that.

Oh I agree with your assessment and to me that's it, he needs to find himself drafted into the ideal situation. I don't think he makes it outside of the lottery though, but if he does he won't make it to the 20's, imho.

Like I said, his ultimate upside is that to me, not at all his likely case, or even likely case ceiling. But he does have all the tools outside of height to reach that, so I'd never say never if he indeed did wind up in that perfect scenario destination.

[mattao313]

Is he basically like a smaller Oladipo?

[GimmeDat]

Is he basically like a smaller Oladipo?

More perimeter based than Oladipo.

[Blazinaway]

I wouldn't mind (many Blazers fans would) the Blazers drafting him (probably have to move up) and trading CJ for a SF/PF stud, I think he'd be a great fit next to Dame and it would likely help our cap situation quite a bit.