Utah Jazz Draft Prospect: Denzel Valentine
The NBA Finals are over; LeBron James has finally brought a championship to Cleveland. Now, Utah Jazz fans can finally turn their attention to the 2016 NBA Draft. Is Denzel Valentine a possibility?
The 2016 NBA Draft will take place this Thursday in New York City. The Utah Jazz have secured the No. 12 pick and may look at using the draft to add even more young talent to their roster. Someone like Denzel Valentine, a 6’6 senior from Michigan State, could potentially fit the bill.
Valentine stands at six-foot-six and possesses a sturdy 220-pound frame and a lengthy 6-foot-10 wingspan. After completing four full years of college, the 22-year-old is older and more experienced than many of the prospects in the 2016 Draft Class.
As a senior at Michigan State, Valentine emerged as one of the most efficient players in the NCAA.
His work as a scorer, rebounder, defender and play-maker earned him the title of the AP National Player of the Year. He produced one of the most versatile and productive stat lines in NCAA history, averaging a whopping 19.2 points, 7.5 boards, 7.8 assists and 1.0 steals while shooting 46.2 percent from the field.
In the last 30 years, Valentine is the only player to average 19 points, seven rebounds, seven assists per game, according to DraftExpress.com.
Breakdown
His biggest strength going in the NBA draft is simply that he plays such a well-rounded game. Valentine provided the Spartans with scoring, playing-making, rebounding and solid defense all season long.
He’s a proven scorer and a solid shooter. He connected on nearly 45 percent of his shots from deep. It’s an ability that could benefit the Jazz on the offensive end of the court.
Valentine is praised for his impressive on-court vision and effective passing abilities, both of which are unique for a player his size. Spending four years with Michigan State helped him develop his decision-making. He knows how to read early offensive situations and has the skills to act accordingly.
Draft Express’s Jonathan Givony, in his NBA Draft scouting report, said that Valentine might have “the highest basketball IQ of any player in this draft, as his timing and instincts as a play-maker are simply off the charts.”
It’s difficult to find any holes when looking at the versatility of his game. But when it comes to playing in the NBA, Valentine might lack the necessary athleticism typically associated with becoming an NBA All-Star. He struggles to get past defenders, which often results in awkward, one-handed, one-legged shots around the key.
His lack of speed/athleticism could also be a real problem defensively at the next level.
During last month’s pre-draft combine in Chicago, an MRI of Valentine’s right knee revealed some concerns about long-term durability. Valentine, himself, doesn’t seem too concerned, saying that he is healthy and can only take care of what he can control.
Throughout his four years at Michigan State, Valentine missed only four games. Those four games occurred during his senior year due to a left knee injury.
Valentine will be 23 years old in November, so he’s already older than a handful of players on the Utah Jazz roster. As such, it’s likely that he has already reached his peak physicality.
Next: Predicting the Lottery Picks of the 2016 NBA Draft
Workout in SLC
Earlier this month, Denzel Valentine attended a pre-draft workout with the Utah Jazz. When asked about his fit with the Jazz, Valentine seemed hopeful.
“I know they have [Dante] Exum at the point. Me and him could take turns,” Valentine told reporters after the workout. “Or I could play off guard, just another guy who can play in pick-and-roll and be able to guard as well and make plays that way.”
Valentine is a highly polished prospect, without much a huge need for development. And since the Jazz have their hearts set on making the playoffs this season, it might be a good idea to use the No 12 pick (or a later pick acquired via trade) to grab the most NBA-ready player available.
Other draft prospect profiles: Henry Ellenson, Furkan Korkmaz, Timothe Luwawu, Deyonta Davis