The Utah Jazz didn't exactly need another ace defender to put in front of Rudy Gobert, but it can't hurt. Especially at this point in the draft, where it's no longer a big reach to take Donovan Mitchell.
After all, an elite defender is just what Mitchell has become. It may take some time for his offense to come around—though you shouldn't be worried about his development going down a Michael Kidd-Gilchrist route—but he's already one of the best perimeter defenders in this year's class.
Mitchell can capably parlay his athleticism into successful slashes. He's a solid passer, giving him the ability to slide over to the 1 in a pinch, though his natural position remains shooting guard. However, it's still his defense that made him one of this year's fastest-rising prospects, vaulting him from the tail end of the first 30 picks into the lottery.
If you need a comparison, think about a more polished version of Norman Powell. The three-point stroke is a bit more advanced, but the athleticism and positional versatility on the preventing end check many of the same boxes.
This is a boom-or-bust pick for Utah, as well as a sliiiight reach, and that depresses the grade a bit. But if he works out, the Jazz could soon pair an elite three-and-D youngster with Gordon Hayward (maybe?) and Gobert (definitely). Here's hoping they don't ask him to run the point if George Hill leaves in free agency, though.
Grade: C+
