Hoops Habit
Fansided

2016 NBA Mock Draft: Updated Upside Comparisons

By Maxwell Ogden

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 11: Ben Simmons #25 of the LSU Tigers waits to rebound the ball during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers during the quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 11: Ben Simmons #25 of the LSU Tigers waits to rebound the ball during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers during the quarterfinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
18 of 31
Next
Jan 20, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) gestures to bench during the second half of a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) gestures to bench during the second half of a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 211. <strong>Ultimate Upside Comparison:</strong> Joe Johnson<br /> <strong>Safe Upside Comparison:</strong> Evan Turner<br /> <strong>Age:</strong> 22 (11/16/1993)<br /> <strong>Height, Weight, Wingspan:</strong> 6’5.75”, 210 pounds, 6’10.75”<br /> <strong>Slash Line:</strong> .462/.444/.853<br /> <strong>Season Averages:</strong> 33.0 MPG, 19.2 PPG, 7.8 APG, 7.5 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 3.4 3PM <p><strong>Key Strengths</strong></p> <ul> <li>Spot-up shooting.</li> <li>Court vision. Top 5 facilitator in this draft class.</li> <li>Quintessential build for a shooting guard.</li> <li>Strength to play the 3.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Key Weaknesses</strong></p> <ul> <li>Creating penetration against NBA-caliber athletes.</li> <li>Lacks quickness to turn the corner.</li> <li>Erratic defender, at best.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Analysis</strong></p> <p>The Memphis Grizzlies have publicly committed to re-signing point guard Mike Conley. That’s an admirable and understandable endeavor, but the harsh reality in Memphis is that Conley is an unrestricted free agent.</p> <p>Losing Conley without finding an ideal replacement would be a catastrophic failure on the front office’s behalf.</p> <div class=. Shooting Guard. Michigan State Spartans. Denzel Valentine . 17

There isn’t an ideal point guard available, but Denzel Valentine is the next best thing. He’s one of the best facilitators in this draft class, and while it’s fair to question his ability to create penetration against NBA-caliber defenders, he’s one of the safest prospects available.

Even if Valentine fails to pan out as a facilitator, he’s an outstanding 3-point shooter—100-plus 3-point field goals made on better than 40 percent shooting in consecutive seasons proves as much.

Valentine is essentially Evan Turner with a jump shot. The more ambitious comparison, however, is Joe Johnson: a longtime offensive star with an uncanny versatility as a scorer and playmaker.

Whether he’s closer to Turner or ISO Joe, it’s quite clear that Valentine can be a very good NBA player if properly developed.

" >

17

Denzel Valentine

Shooting Guard, Michigan State Spartans

Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies /

Ultimate Upside Comparison:

Joe Johnson

Safe Upside Comparison:

Evan Turner

Age:

22 (11/16/1993)

Height, Weight, Wingspan:

6’5.75”, 210 pounds, 6’10.75”

Slash Line:

.462/.444/.853

Season Averages:

33.0 MPG, 19.2 PPG, 7.8 APG, 7.5 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 3.4 3PM

Key Strengths

  • Spot-up shooting.
  • Court vision. Top 5 facilitator in this draft class.
  • Quintessential build for a shooting guard.
  • Strength to play the 3.

Key Weaknesses

  • Creating penetration against NBA-caliber athletes.
  • Lacks quickness to turn the corner.
  • Erratic defender, at best.

Analysis

The Memphis Grizzlies have publicly committed to re-signing point guard Mike Conley. That’s an admirable and understandable endeavor, but the harsh reality in Memphis is that Conley is an unrestricted free agent.

Losing Conley without finding an ideal replacement would be a catastrophic failure on the front office’s behalf.

There isn’t an ideal point guard available, but Denzel Valentine is the next best thing. He’s one of the best facilitators in this draft class, and while it’s fair to question his ability to create penetration against NBA-caliber defenders, he’s one of the safest prospects available.

Even if Valentine fails to pan out as a facilitator, he’s an outstanding 3-point shooter—100-plus 3-point field goals made on better than 40 percent shooting in consecutive seasons proves as much.

Valentine is essentially Evan Turner with a jump shot. The more ambitious comparison, however, is Joe Johnson: a longtime offensive star with an uncanny versatility as a scorer and playmaker.

Whether he’s closer to Turner or ISO Joe, it’s quite clear that Valentine can be a very good NBA player if properly developed.

Next: Detroit Pistons

Home/NBA Draft