Utah Jazz: Is Denzel Valentine a Possibility at No. 12?

By Ryan Aston | Jun 11, 2016

Feb 28, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) gestures to the crowd during the first half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan State star Denzel Valentine was the AP National Player of the Year this past season, but how well do his skills translate to the NBA or the Utah Jazz?

Like many of the prospects in the 2016 NBA Draft, Denzel Valentine’s placement in mock drafts can vary dramatically depending on which one you’re reading. While he’s solidly considered a first-round talent by most hoops pundits, there are a myriad of differing opinions on whether he’s a lottery player or a late first round pick.

As with any potential draftee, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but for someone like Valentine–a four-year player that lacks elite athleticism–teams are faced with some difficult questions.

While he may be a more polished prospect, how much room is left for development? If the answer is “not much,” are you OK with the player he is now? Also, what do you make of his gaudy numbers from last season? Are they a result of his overwhelming talent or the byproduct of beating up on younger, less-experienced collegiate players?

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These are some of the questions the Utah Jazz were weighing as they welcomed Valentine in, along with three prospects with local ties, for pre-draft workouts on Friday.

For Valentine’s part, he sees himself as a fit with Utah, the first NBA team he’s worked out for in the lead up to this month’s draft. “I know they have Exum at the point. Me and him could take turns. Or I could play off guard, just another guy who can play in pick-and-roll and be able to guard one through three as well and make plays that way.”

Despite his age, the Michigan State star undoubtedly has some tools that could allow him to do the things he’s talking about. What Valentine lacks in athletic prowess, he makes up for with length and court vision.

According to DraftExpress, the average shooting guard prospect has a wingspan of just under six-foot-seven and a standing reach measuring at eight-foot-four. Valentine, meanwhile, tops those marks by four inches and two inches respectively.

Valentine’s future may lie at the point guard position, however, where his measurables become even more impressive. Furthermore, he has the smarts and requisite ability to see the court and distribute as an NBA point man. Last year, he posted an assist rate of 45.8 percent–the second-highest mark in all of college basketball.

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Whether or not he can defend at the NBA level or, transversely, get his shot off against NBA defenses remains to be seen.

During his senior season, Valentine averaged 19 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and one steal, while making 44 percent of his 7.5 three-point attempts per game. Again–those numbers are eye-popping, but will they translate to NBA success?

Does Valentine, who will turn 23 early next season, have enough upside to warrant consideration at No. 12? Jazz VP of player personnel Walt Perrin had this to say following his workout–

"“He would fit with our team structure and how we play and how he plays. He’s a pretty good shooter and I think he’s going to become better. He does pass the ball extremely well, which [head coach Quin Snyder] likes. And I think he would fit in in Salt Lake City.”"

#Intrigue.

Valentine was joined in workouts on Friday by Gary Payton II, son of Seattle SuperSonics legend Gary Payton and a player who spent some time at Salt Lake Community College, local products Dakarai Tucker (Utah) and Kyle Collinsworth (BYU), as well as USC’s Julian Jacobs and Alpha Kaba of France.

The 2016 NBA Draft will take place on June 23.