Baylor guard Davion Mitchell scouting report: Could the Raptors be a fit?

How will Mitchell’s game translate to the NBA?

Mitchell has a relatively safe floor thanks to his defensive prowess, which should turn him into a serviceable NBA player that is able to have a considerable impact off any bench at the very minimum.

However, the extent of Mitchell’s ceiling will likely rest on his offense and whether he can prove that his shooting numbers from this season were not a fluke. Should Mitchell continue to bring this level of efficiency into the NBA, we could be looking at another special player in this year’s draft class.

It is easy to see why Mitchell has been compared to Smart. Both are extremely talented two-way guards that can bring a high level of intensity on defense, attack the basket well, and are pests to play against along the perimeter. However, Smart has Mitchell beat, as he has the size that can help him guard much larger bigs.

On the offensive front though, Mitchell has a much higher upside than Smart, bringing a more explosive first step, better jumper, scoring, and handles. While Mitchell’s offensive abilities can still be considered as a “work in progress”, his overall game is NBA-ready and he should be able to contribute to any team almost immediately.

Should the Toronto Raptors draft Davion Mitchell?

The Toronto Raptors are likely going to appreciate a player of Mitchell’s profile, particularly his defense and potential to shoot the lights out. However, the question of draft strategy arises for a team like Toronto.

Do the Raptors draft the best player available if they find themselves outside of the Top 5? Or should they go down the route of positional need instead?

Mitchell’s size is likely to be a sticking point for the Raptors, as they already have two undersized guards in Fred VanVleet and Malachi Flynn. Furthermore, the Raptors have missed the presence of a solid center in their frontcourt that can rebound, provide spacing, rim protection, etc.

Mitchell is likely going to be a mainstay for any team that drafts him going forward. However, it may be wise for a team like the Raptors to address their frontcourt issues through the draft.

Conversely, if the Raptors feel that they can address their frontcourt through means other than the draft, then Mitchell’s style of play is going to be very appealing for the Raptors’ front-office and coaching staff.