Could Denzel Valentine Replace Evan Turner?

Should the Celtics draft Denzel Valentine in favor of re-signing Evan Turner?

Following the Boston Celtics first round series loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Evan Turner noted that he hopes his stay on the free agency market doesn’t last long.

Evan Turner on free agency: "It starts July 1, hopefully it's over July 1."
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) April 29, 2016

It may last longer than just one day for Evan Turner though, especially if he doesn’t give Boston a discount. The New York Knicks are just one team so far who has expressed interest in Turner, and many more are surely to follow. I think that both Turner and Danny Ainge know he’s a great fit in the Celtics’ system and he was able to revive his career in Boston.

This is still a big time for Turner as he’s looking to cash in on his first big contract of his career, and it couldn’t come at a better time. With the new TV deal about to kick in this off-season, Evan Turner will be able to reel in even more money than in previous years. It’s not to say that the Celtics don’t have enough money to bring him back or that he won’t give Boston a discount, however, what if the Celtics found a replacement for Turner instead?

Michigan State guard Denzel Valentine came out and said what everyone has thought this past season, his game is extremely similar to Evan Turner’s. Valentine told the Boston Celtics, “I model my game after Evan Turner.” It may have just been a way to butter up Boston, a team with two draft picks in his expected range, either way, he couldn’t be more right.

Denzel Valentine was the most complete basketball player in college basketball last season. He didn’t have the exciting plays that Buddy Hield had, but there was no one with a better all-around game than Valentine.

The AP Player of the Year saw a steady rise in production while at Michigan State as he role increased throughout his four seasons. He ended up averaging 19.2 points, 7.8 assists, 7.5 rebounds and one steal per game in 33 minutes his senior season. Evan Turner’s stat line the year he came out of Ohio State was eerily similar: 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and six assists per game.

Both players can affect the game in nearly every way on both ends. Turner isn’t the dynamic scorer he was while at Ohio State. He struggles to shoot from three (30.5 career three-point percentage) and isn’t able to take over games. He was still one of the biggest pieces to the Celtics’ success this past season.

Evan Turner’s ability to play shooting guard or small forward is a luxury Boston loves to have. He’s able to step in as a point forward, much like LeBron James does with Cleveland, and allows Isaiah Thomas to run off endless ball screens for open shots. Turner is also constantly a factor on the boards and while he’s not the best defender, he’s serviceable on the defensive end. Losing that kind of production would be hard for any team, yet, he’s not worth overspending on and affecting the rest of the off-season.

A cheaper and younger option would be Denzel Valentine. The 22-year-old guard may have some growing pains at first, however, he was coached by Tom Izzo for four seasons and is one of the most NBA-ready players in the draft.

Valentine won’t be a prolific scorer in the NBA, although, he should shoot better from behind the arc than Turner. Valentine shot 44.4 percent from three this past season on 7.5 attempts per game. He find ways to score from anywhere on the court, but, more importantly, he sets up his teammates.

As much as Boston needs another scoring threat alongside Isaiah Thomas, they’re not going to find one in the middle of the first round. If Valentine had any role on the Celtics next season, it would be as a bench player in a similar role Turner had this season. His ability to pass at his size is very intriguing, despite not being the most athletic player on the floor.

It would be a risk to let Evan Turner walk in favor of a rookie, however, Denzel Valentine seems like one of the safest picks in this draft.

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A lot of people may suggest keeping both and having Valentine learn from the man himself, Evan Turner. Although, Valentine is 22-years-old already and you’d rather have him see at least a little playing time right away. He’s not going to need the same amount of time to develop as some 19-year-olds.

It’s not to say he’ll put up great numbers right away, but that’s why they drafted R.J. Hunter last season. Besides, with the Celtics already deep roster, it would be more beneficial to draft a high-potential player who will learn in the D-League or an international player they can stash overseas for a couple of years.

Denzel Valentine may not even be an option for the Celtics if he doesn’t last past the lottery. The Celtics won’t draft him in the top-five with the Brooklyn Nets pick and may not even have a chance at him with the Dallas Mavericks selection either. Besides, who knows what crazy trades Danny Ainge will be able to pull off on draft night.

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Either way, this is Evan Turner’s chance to have a big pay-day and you couldn’t blame him for leaving for extra money. A younger player with potential, Denzel Valentine, could be an option for the Celtics if they decide to let Turner walk.

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