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NBA Draft 2016: Chad Ford Connects 7 Players to Detroit Pistons

By Zac Snyder

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Stanley Johnson (Arizona) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number eight overall pick to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Stanley Johnson (Arizona) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number eight overall pick to the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2015; Fullerton, CA, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) drives as Boise State Broncos guard Anthony Drmic (3) gestures during the second half at Titan Gym. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Fullerton, CA, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) drives as Boise State Broncos guard Anthony Drmic (3) gestures during the second half at Titan Gym. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Denzel Valentine

The third-highest ranked player to get a Pistons mention and the 22nd player overall on Ford’s big board, it won’t be hard to sell fans on Denzel Valentine if he is the eventual pick. Ford’s analysis:

"Valentine has been flirting with being a late lottery selection for the past few months, but there seems to be a slight cooling effect lately as teams start to get more excited by the idea of upside than they are by Valentine’s proven ability. The Jazz, Suns and Bulls all like him in the late lottery. But if he slid to the Pistons at No. 18, Pacers at No. 20, Hawks at No. 21 or Hornets at No. 22, it wouldn’t shock me."

Potential is typically the name of the game in the NBA Draft but Valentine is a “what you see is what you get” prospect as an experienced college players. That’s not a bad thing considering the career Valentine had at Michigan State and the versatile skill set he brings to the NBA.

Sometimes it’s better to not over think things as there are 29 teams wishing they had selected a similarly versatile, high character, high basketball IQ from Michigan State just a few years ago. Draymond Green‘s success with the Golden State Warriors might have helped Valentine’s draft stock but Ford’s ranking and intel suggests the Pistons or the picks that follow are a good target range for Valentine on draft night.

Next: Tyler Ulis

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