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Detroit Pistons Mentioned For 8 Players in Chad Ford’s Final Big Board

By Zac Snyder

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 9, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) drives to the basket against Purdue Boilermakers guard Rapheal Davis (35) at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeats Michigan State 82-81 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 9, 2016; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) drives to the basket against Purdue Boilermakers guard Rapheal Davis (35) at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeats Michigan State 82-81 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Denzel Valentine

The second former Michigan State Spartan to get a Pistons mention from Ford, Denzel Valentine finishes at number 22 on Ford’s board:

"Upside: Valentine is one of the most versatile players in the draft, essentially a point guard in the body of a wing. He can score from anywhere on the floor. Super-high basketball IQ. Very competitive. A leader. Downside: He lacks elite athleticism. Defensively he may be a liability in the NBA. He suffered a knee injury in December that has some teams concerned about his long-term health. Draft range: Nos. 12-25, with a huge range because of the knee concerns. The Jazz, Suns, Bulls, Celtics, Pistons, Pacers, Hawks and Clippers are all possibilities."

Valentine isn’t a high upside pick but the Pistons should like his versatility and he would give them another player capable of handling the ball in a pick and roll. Adding a non-point guard ballhandler could prove very valuable to the development of the Pistons offense.

Comparisons to Draymond Green fall apart on the defensive end of the court, but Valentine should get drafted closer to where Green should have.

Next: Cheick Diallo

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