Boston Celtics Draft Target: Denzel Valentine

The Boston Celtics currently own eight picks in this summer’s NBA Draft. While it’s highly unlikely they will make eight selections, they are likely to make multiple in the first round. When the Celtics find themselves on the clock, Danny Ainge and company should give careful consideration to Michigan State’s Denzel Valentine.

Now, Valentine isn’t a top-10 guy, and he may not be selected with any of the 14 lottery picks. However, his all-around talent and collegiate experience make him a first-round talent and a player worth selecting at 16 — when Boston is on the clock courtesy of the Dallas Mavericks — or at 23, if he were to fall that far.

A jack of all trades type of player, Valentine may not excel at any one particular thing on the floor, but he does just about everything well. He can score, averaging 19.2 PPG as a senior. He shot better than 40% from three over the course of his collegiate career. He hits the boards — his 7.5 RPG was second on the team last year. He’s also an exceptional passer and playmaker. Valentine finished fourth in the NCAA in APG last season.

Valentine just completed his fourth season with the Spartans, a rarity in college basketball today. As each season passed, he continued to improve. It wasn’t until his junior season, where he averaged 14.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG and 4.3 APG, when Valentine really broke through and made a name for himself. Valentine capped off his collegiate career by winning the Big 10, AP and NABC Player of the Year awards as a senior.

Valentine’s career arc at Michigan State shows that he is a hard worker, and very coachable. Combine that with his overall draft outlook, and it brings to mind another Spartan who spent four years under head coach Tom Izzo, Draymond Green.

Dec 9, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) defends Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks guard Devin Martin (4) during the 2nd half a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Much like Valentine, Green was an all-around talent who progressed with each passing season, with his breakthrough season coming in his junior year. During his collegiate career, Green wasn’t quite the passer that Valentine was, and Valentine wasn’t the rebounder that Green was, but both were still solid in just about every facet of the game. The similarities extend off the court as well.

The pre-draft scouting reports are almost identical. Before the 2012 NBA Draft, Green’s athleticism was called into question. He was considered undersized, and the fact that he was good in all areas of the game was held against him, as he did not excel in one particular facet. Now, Green’s ability to contribute all over the floor has made him a key piece on the best team in the NBA.

Similar criticisms are being thrown at Valentine. His size and athleticism are being called into question and many wonder as to where exactly he will fit on the court. He’s not the best defender, but he has active hands. What he lacks in athleticism, he makes up for with very good instincts and intelligence.

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What has helped Green thrive in the NBA is his confidence. He’s not the most athletically gifted, but he’s a fearless player who plays with a lot of swagger. While Valentine may not trash talk as much as Green does on the floor, he plays with a lot of confidence and is vocal in terms of directing his teammates and running the offense.

The Celtics currently have a player that mirrors the type of player Valentine is in Evan Turner. However, Turner’s future with Boston is in question as he’s expected to have multiple suitors during free agency this summer. Similar to Turner, Valentine can stuff the box score on any given night. He posted two triple doubles this past season, including a 29 point, 12 rebound, 12 assist performance against the fourth-ranked Kansas Jayhawks.

Valentine would be a great fit on Boston’s second unit because of his ability to handle the ball and run an offense. He has great court vision and he would add some size to the backcourt. He would also fit right in with Boston’s current set of guards in terms of rebounding. Marcus Smart is one of the better rebounding point guards in the league, and Terry Rozier has showcased his rebounding abilities, albeit in limited action.

The ability to rebound as a guard is a quality that is very valuable to Boston, due to their desire to get out in transition. Valentine is an aggressive rebounder who can grab the ball and go, immediately starting a fast break. The Celtics generate a majority of their offense in the open floor, adding Valentine gives them another player who can contribute to that.

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Valentine’s all-around ability gives him great potential in the NBA. His experience and leadership cannot be understated. Those are the types of intangibles that can serve him well at the professional level. He would give Brad Stevens another viable ball handler, especially if the team is unable to bring back Turner. He’s a smart passer who takes good care of the basketball, and is able to find open teammates. He projects as a mid-first-round selection, which could place him right in Boston’s lap.

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