The New York Knicks first expressed interest in Louisville guard Donovan Mitchell at the NBA Combine, and they continued to be heavily intrigued by him.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN, the Knicks see Mitchell as an Avery Bradley-type defender with more offensive upside, putting him firmly in play with the No. 8 pick.
The Knicks have a workout scheduled with Louisville guard Donovan Mitchell before the draft, per sources with knowledge of the team's workout schedule. Members of the organization are highly intrigued by Mitchell's defensive ability and versatility. The Knicks have the eighth overall pick in June's draft. Mitchell, who has a 6-10 wingspan and recently measured a 40-inch vertical, has been compared by NBA decision makers as a player who has the potential to be an Avery Bradley-type defender defend with a stronger offensive game. Mitchell shot well from the perimeter at the CAA Pro Day in California earlier this month. Knicks team president Phil Jackson and top advisor Clarence Gaines Jr. were among a group of Knicks executives in attendance.
The 6-foot-3 Mitchell played shooting guard at Louisville and is expected to play that same position in the NBA due to his wingspan, but New York also thinks they may be able to turn him into a point guard.
The Knicks are looking for backcourt help with the No. 8 pick, and they have been linked to Frank Ntilinkina and expressed interest in Dennis Smith Jr. with the selection. However, with New York not having Ntilinkina in for a workout and rumors of Smith falling in the draft, Mitchell appears to be very much in play with the eighth pick.
Duke's Luke Kennard has also received interest from the Knicks, but he appears to be behind each of the three players mentioned above on New York's draft board.
Mitchell averaged 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season.
Follow our New York Knicks team page for all the latest Knicks draft rumors!
Connect With Chat Sports:
Chat Sports on Starters
Chat Sports: Minds Behind the Game
Chat Sports on Wikipedia