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2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 23: The NBA Playoffs are upon us

By Chris Stone

Feb 9, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 6, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2017; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals guard Donovan Mitchell (45) shoots the ball as Virginia Cavaliers forward Isaiah Wilkins (21) defends in the first half at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Donovan Mitchell

SG, Louisville

Draft status: In without an agent

The Chicago Bulls snuck into the NBA Playoffs as a result of holding a tiebreaker over the Miami Heat. The Bulls have a puncher’s chance against the Boston Celtics in round one, but will need to make significant roster improvements to be competitive in the long run. In that sense, the draft will be important and Louisville’s Donovan Mitchell may help.

The sophomore shooting guard averaged 19.3 points per 40 minutes this season as he took on a much larger role for the Cardinals. He improved significantly as a 3-point shooter, making 35.4 percent of his 226 attempts in an effort to bolster his draft credentials. Mitchell improved his free throwing shooting and took a higher volume of 3s this season as well. He will need to find some consistency inside the arc where his 6-foot-3 frame can be a concern.

Mitchell should be able to make an impact on the defensive end as well. As a sophomore, he created 2.6 steals per 40 minutes, using his long arms and quickness to jump into passing lanes and harass ball-handlers. Mitchell may not be the most switchable defender because of his size, but he should be able to handle defending both guard positions at the NBA level.