Thunderous Intentions
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2017 NBA Draft- Annual Editor’s Mock Draft

By Tamberlyn Richardson

Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) passes UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. UCLA won 107-66. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Donovan Mitchell
Mar 17, 2017; Louisville Cardinals guard Quentin Snider (4) hugs guard Donovan Mitchell (45) after defeating the Jacksonville State Gamecocks. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 64. . Shooting Guard. Louisville. Donovan Mitchell. 12

Team Needs:

Perimeter scoring (27th), energy players (ranked 29th at getting to the line and 30th in makes as well as 24th in steals), playmaking (24th in assists), defense (29th in blocks). 

Free Agents:

  • Aron Baynes – UFA
  • Reggie Bullock – RFA
  • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – RFA
  • Beno Udrih – UFA

Roster Gaps:

Depth is an issue, 3-point specialist and floor spacers, energy, and 2-way players. 

Donovan Mitchell:

As for Donovan Mitchell in TI’s draft prospect preview  his skills were highlighted as:

"Mitchell has the potential to be an excellent NBA defender. Sure, he’s undersized, but he more than makes up for that with his incredible wingspan. Thanks in part to his length along with great instincts, Mitchell forces a ton of turnovers. According to draftexpress.com, he averaged 2.6 steals per 40 minutes, the highest amount of any top 100 prospect. And because of his long arms, he has the ability to alter shots and even make plays at the rim defensively. Being more than 210 pounds, he can battle with stronger defenders, which means he could switch onto some forwards. Mitchell showed during his two years at Louisville he has the potential to be a quality scorer at the NBA level. He has proven the ability to knock down open shots. Draftexpress.com data shows that Mitchell was in the 90th percentile of making open baskets. Another specific area Mitchell has shown to thrive is his pullup game. Draft Express’ Jonathan Givony highlights how Mitchell has become and effective shooter."

Overview:

Arguably no team was a greater disappointment this past season. That said for a team who boasts rebounding, paint-protector Andre Drummond, 2-way specialist Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and self-proclaimed upper-echelon starting point guard Reggie Jackson, it makes no sense for them to do so poorly in the categories as they do. Either there is a chemistry issue, leadership problem or it’s simply a poor fit.

Regardless, there is too much talent on this squad for them to be this bad and much of it seemingly is tied to effort.

Certainly adding more floor spacers, sharpshooters and grit will help. But, perhaps the issue in Detroit is this core simply won’t work.

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