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Phoenix Suns: 5 Potential Draft Options With The No. 13 Pick

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 28, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) gestures to the crowd during the first half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) gestures to the crowd during the first half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Phoenix Suns
Mar 5, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) brings the ball up court during the first half of a game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Denzel Valentine

Denzel Valentine is listed as a shooting guard/small forward, but as a versatile 6’6″ wing with such an expansive skill set, the Suns would really bolster their depth at the 3 if Valentine fell to them near the end of the lottery.

Though he and the Michigan State Spartans flamed out in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, Valentine was perhaps the most well-rounded college player in the country, averaging 19.2 points, 7.8 assists, 7.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game on .462/.444/.853 shooting splits.

The Suns already have P.J. Tucker and T.J. Warren at small forward, but Tucker is on a non-guaranteed contract that ends after the 2016-17 season and Warren is still a young prospect coming off a season-ending foot injury.

At 22 years old, Valentine is one of the more NBA-ready players in this year’s draft. He’s never going to be a Draymond Green type who can defend all five positions, but he’s a similarly well-rounded talent who can do a little bit of everything thanks to his length, high basketball IQ and leadership qualities.

More hoops habit: Phoenix Suns: 5 Potential Draft Options With The No. 4 Pick

Valentine is also a better shooter than Green was when he entered the draft, so even though he’s a bit older than you’d like to see from a lottery pick, his versatility, passing and defensive skills make him quite an intriguing option for a Suns team that could use a bit more playmaking and shooting on the wing.

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