By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
The NBA draft on July 29 will definitely have a Baylor tone to it. In fact, this draft has the potential to be the most promising in program annals because of who is available and where they are projected to go.
Baylor has not had a player selected in the draft since Taurean Prince went to Utah – later traded to Atlanta – at No. 12 in the first round in 2016. There have been some free agent signings, of course.
Scott Drew’s program has three draft candidates between guards Davion Mitchell, Jared Butler and MaCio Teague. The last time Baylor had three taken was in 2012 when Perry Jones (Oklahoma City) went in the first round and Quincy Acy (Toronto) and Quincy Miller (Denver) were chosen in the second round.
Obviously, Butler’s situation is a bit different because the NBA won’t allow him to perform any on-court activities until he is cleared by the league’s Fitness-for-Play panel due to his heart condition, something that he came to Baylor with when he transferred in from Alabama.
As the draft approaches, let’s take a look at where Mitchell and Butler are projected to land. Teague will not be listed as none of these mock drafts going anywhere in the two rounds. But there’s still a chance he could go late in the second.
These mock drafts were issued within the last week:
Davion Mitchell
USA Today – No. 10 – New Orleans
Why New Orleans: If the rumblings about Zion Williamson being frustrated in New Orleans are indeed true, the clock is ticking for the Pelicans to make the playoffs. They’d be wise to add someone who can contribute immediately, and after winning a title, Davion Mitchell can provide that spark.
NBA.com – No. 7 – Golden State
Why Golden State: Steady hand guided Baylor to the NCAA title; displays solid shot-making, playmaking and on-ball defense, which should provide a high floor from whenever he first hits NBA hardwood.
NBADraft.net – No. 12 – San Antonio
NBC Sports – No. 7 – Golden State
Why Golden State: A key ingredient on the national champion Baylor Bears, Mitchell has a lot of momentum behind him entering the pre-draft workout circuit. He's only 6-foot-1, but is seen as the best defensive point guard in this class and he shot 44.7% from three in college. For the Warriors, he would give them some toughness on the perimeter as a Marcus Smart-type who can take on some of the tougher guard assignments in the league. Having someone like that could help Golden State ease back Klay Thompson, who was a fantastic defender in his prime but is coming off major leg surgeries.
Jared Butler
USA Today – Apparently didn’t place Butler in its mock draft because of his health situation.
NBA.com – Only listed the Top 14 picks
NBADraft.net – No. 30 – Utah
NBC Sports – No. 30 – Utah
Why Utah: Butler has been held out of the on-court pre-draft processes that have been afforded to the other prospects. A heart condition that was discovered back in college forced the NBA to wait for further evaluations. Still, he's one of the most decorated players in college basketball this past season and was a consensus All-American, Big-12 All-Defense and one of the leaders of the national championship team. There's value for teams looking for an experienced point guard.
Publisher
The NBA draft on July 29 will definitely have a Baylor tone to it. In fact, this draft has the potential to be the most promising in program annals because of who is available and where they are projected to go.
Baylor has not had a player selected in the draft since Taurean Prince went to Utah – later traded to Atlanta – at No. 12 in the first round in 2016. There have been some free agent signings, of course.
Scott Drew’s program has three draft candidates between guards Davion Mitchell, Jared Butler and MaCio Teague. The last time Baylor had three taken was in 2012 when Perry Jones (Oklahoma City) went in the first round and Quincy Acy (Toronto) and Quincy Miller (Denver) were chosen in the second round.
Obviously, Butler’s situation is a bit different because the NBA won’t allow him to perform any on-court activities until he is cleared by the league’s Fitness-for-Play panel due to his heart condition, something that he came to Baylor with when he transferred in from Alabama.
As the draft approaches, let’s take a look at where Mitchell and Butler are projected to land. Teague will not be listed as none of these mock drafts going anywhere in the two rounds. But there’s still a chance he could go late in the second.
These mock drafts were issued within the last week:
Davion Mitchell
USA Today – No. 10 – New Orleans
Why New Orleans: If the rumblings about Zion Williamson being frustrated in New Orleans are indeed true, the clock is ticking for the Pelicans to make the playoffs. They’d be wise to add someone who can contribute immediately, and after winning a title, Davion Mitchell can provide that spark.
NBA.com – No. 7 – Golden State
Why Golden State: Steady hand guided Baylor to the NCAA title; displays solid shot-making, playmaking and on-ball defense, which should provide a high floor from whenever he first hits NBA hardwood.
NBADraft.net – No. 12 – San Antonio
NBC Sports – No. 7 – Golden State
Why Golden State: A key ingredient on the national champion Baylor Bears, Mitchell has a lot of momentum behind him entering the pre-draft workout circuit. He's only 6-foot-1, but is seen as the best defensive point guard in this class and he shot 44.7% from three in college. For the Warriors, he would give them some toughness on the perimeter as a Marcus Smart-type who can take on some of the tougher guard assignments in the league. Having someone like that could help Golden State ease back Klay Thompson, who was a fantastic defender in his prime but is coming off major leg surgeries.
Jared Butler
USA Today – Apparently didn’t place Butler in its mock draft because of his health situation.
NBA.com – Only listed the Top 14 picks
NBADraft.net – No. 30 – Utah
NBC Sports – No. 30 – Utah
Why Utah: Butler has been held out of the on-court pre-draft processes that have been afforded to the other prospects. A heart condition that was discovered back in college forced the NBA to wait for further evaluations. Still, he's one of the most decorated players in college basketball this past season and was a consensus All-American, Big-12 All-Defense and one of the leaders of the national championship team. There's value for teams looking for an experienced point guard.
