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Utah Jazz: Best Prospects in Pre-Draft Workouts

By Ryan Aston

Feb 13, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Dejounte Murray (5) attempts to regain control of the basketball in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. The Buffaloes defeated the Huskies 81-80. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies guard Dejounte Murray (5) attempts to regain control of the basketball in the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. The Buffaloes defeated the Huskies 81-80. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denzel Valentine, Michigan State

Age: 22, Height: 6’6″, Weight: 210 lbs.

Current Prospect Rankings–DraftExpress: 25, NBADraft.net: 21, CBS Sports: 19

Last Season: 33.0 Min,19.2 Pts, 7.5 Reb, 7.8 Ast, 1.0 Stl, .462 FG%, .444 3PT%, .853 FT%, 29.7 PER

Walt Perrin’s Post-Workout Comments: “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 Thonin Salt Lake City.”

Spencer Wixom Analysis–
Denzel Valentine is a senior wing out of Michigan State. Valentine was one of the better college players this year, and was in the running for player of the year. Unfortunately, Valentine’s game may not be as good of a fit for the pro game as it was for the college game.

Valentine’s basketball IQ is off the charts and he uses his length to make some incredible passes. Denzel has a great handle for his size and will likely play with the ball in his hands at the next level due to his elite passing ability. Shooting was a strength for Valentine this year and last year, though he did not shoot well in his first two years.

He also adds some versatility to a team because of this passing and length. You could play him at point guard, shooting guard or small forward in different situations.

Valentine’s game could suffer at the next level due to his lack of athletics. He likely cannot beat most NBA defenders off the dribble and will be limited to spot-up shots and facilitating. Due to the lack in athletic ability, he will have a hard time defending wings in the NBA.

His game actually has splashed of Greivis Vasquez and Lance Stephenson (without the crazy). He is a wing who can spot up and run the team’s offense to create mismatches.

Right now, Valentine is falling because of medical concerns about his knees. One NBA team even went as far to say that he could have knees like Danny Granger‘s. Due to all these issues, I do not think the Jazz will draft Valentine unless they trade down. I actually think there is a chance that the league shocks us and Valentine falls to the second round.

Next: Interview: Stu Jackson Talks Utah Jazz, No. 12 Pick

Follow Spencer Wixom on Twitter @JazzJargon. For his complete draft rankings, click here.