The New York Knicks are holding a last-minute workout for Louisville guard Donovan Mitchell today, according to ESPN's Ian Begley.
Louisville's Donovan Mitchell is scheduled to work out for the Knicks today in a group setting, per league sources. Mitchell's workout, which was originally scheduled for Tuesday, is expected to be the last workout for New York before Thursday's draft. The club has told people around the league that it has not made up its mind yet. Mitchell, Frank Ntilikina and Malik Monk, Lauri Markkanen and others are being considered for the No. 8 pick, per people in touch with the team. Phil Jackson and other Knicks front office members are intrigued by Mitchell's defensive ability and athleticism. The Knicks also have no concerns about Mitchell's ability to handle New York due to his maturity and that he played for a high-profile college program in Louisville. Mitchell prefers to work out in a group setting to display his elite defensive attributes, something that has intrigued the Knicks and several other lottery teams. His workout is expected to include Villanova's Josh Hart, Miami's Davon Reed and Iowa State's Naz Long, among others. The group was also scheduled to workout on Tuesday but was moved to Wednesday along with Mitchell.
New York sees Mitchell as an Avery Bradley-type defender with more offensive upside. This is his second workout with the team, showing just how interested they are in him.
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The 6-foot-3 Mitchell played shooting guard at Louisville and is expected to play that same position in the NBA due to his 6-foot-10 wingspan, but New York also thinks they may be able to turn him into a point guard.
Mitchell averaged 15.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game last season.
Despite this report of increased interest in Mitchell, French point guard Frank Ntilikina is still the player the Knicks plan to take with the No. 8 pick. However, the Mavs have also expressed significant interest in Ntilikina, but pick one spot behind the Knicks. They have had conversations with the Timberwolves about potentially moving up to No. 7 in order to jump New York to draft him.
New York's interest in Mitchell appears to be a backup plan in case they are not able to draft Ntilikina.
In my final mock draft, I have the Knicks taking Ntilikina with the No. 8 pick, while Mitchell falls to the Pistons at No. 12.
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