NBA Mock Draft: Wolves move up, Lakers get All-American
69. . Guard. New Orleans Pelicans. Davion Mitchell. 9. player
I’m going to be 100-percent honest here – I don’t think Davion Mitchell should go this high. That said, it is very unlikely he falls out of the top-10 from what most NBA Draft insiders are currently saying.
The New Orleans Pelicans severely disappointed this past season. Zion Williamson was great, Brandon Ingram put up stats, but defensively, the Pelicans were wretched – and the 3-point shooting had neither volume nor efficiency.
NBA Mock Draft: Pelicans bolster backcourt with Davion Mitchell
Davion Mitchell could theoretically bring both of those skills to a Pelicans team that desperately needs it. He won’t solve all of that team’s issues though – some that largely stem from both coaching and the lack of a true stretch-big on the roster alongside Zion Williamson.
The loss of Jrue Holiday undoubtedly hurt the Pelicans this past year – but being the eighth worst team in the league is something that really stings considering the expectations assigned to the core of Zion, Ingram, and Lonzo Ball.
Davion Mitchell, a senior guard for Baylor this past season, averaged 14 points and 6 assists on 51/45/64 this season. While his 3-point shooting improved every season in college, his free throw percentage fell every season – which is typically a better indication of future shooting numbers.
The playmaking and overall defense is there, but I’m hesitant to say Mitchell is going to be a knockdown shooter at the NBA – although I absolutely see him being at least serviceable. Outside of that, he should start for a Pelicans team that needs to move off of Eric Bledsoe as soon as possible.