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NBA Draft rumors: Knicks interested in Louisville guard Donovan Mitchell at No. 8?

By Brad Berreman

Feb 26, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles against Syracuse Orange guard Frank Howard (1) during the first half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) dribbles against Syracuse Orange guard Frank Howard (1) during the first half at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Knicks basically can’t go wrong with the No. 8 pick next month, and a rising prospect may be on their radar now.

Aside from Kristaps Porzingis, who may not be happy and may force a trade, the New York Knicks don’t have any building blocks for the future. So they can consider all options, independent of need, with the eighth overall pick in next month’s draft and not be making a mistake in the moment.

A lot of current mock drafts, including our own here at FanSided and at NBA Draft.net, have the Knicks taking Kentucky shooting guard Malik Monk with the No. 8 pick. But Marc Berman of the New York Post offers another potential first-round option, at No. 8 or via a trade down: Louisville guard Donovan Mitchell.

Mitchell was mostly a two-guard over his two seasons at Louisville, but Cardinals’ coach Rick Pitino said point guard is his “natural position.” At the NBA combine, Mitchell measured 6-foot-3 in shoes with a 6-foot-10-inch wingspan and posted a 40.5-inch vertical leap. Pitino added more steam to Mitchell’s rise as a draft prospect.

"“After the combine, we’re hearing he’ll be [a] lower [number] than where we thought because of what he did there in terms of measurements, 40-inch vertical, shot it well,’’ Pitino said. “He led the ACC in steals and showed anticipation skills. If it wasn’t for his shot getting so much better [this season], he’d be mid-to-late, but his shot improved so much, he’ll probably sneak into the lottery.’’"

Mitchell is just outside the top 10 overall in some mock drafts, at No. 11 to the Charlotte Hornets in FanSided’s and No. 12 to the Detroit Pistons in Draft Express.com’s most recent rendition. NBA Draft.net doesn’t think as highly of Mitchell right now, with him tabbed at No. 21 to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Next: 2017 NBA Mock Draft: What if the Lakers don't take Lonzo Ball?

Mitchell offers versatility and across the board production (15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.1 steals per game last year at Louisville) the Knicks need. And after playing for Pitino, you know he can handle himself defensively. It will be probably be considered a reach to take Mitchell at No. 8, but he might be the right player when we look back in a few years.

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