2016 NBA Mock Draft: Brandon Ingram is the New Number One Pick

18. Outside shooting is clearly the Celtics’ biggest need if they are going to make a jump in competitive level heading into next season. They’ve already added Dragan Bender in this mock to add some shooting from the frontcourt, and Valentine would be a nice way to inject some shooting prowess from the perimeter. <p>Valentine hit 40.8 percent of his outside shots over his four-year Michigan State career, and he was one of college basketball’s best catch-and-shoot options last season, hinting at the prospect that he could be a lethal spot-up gunner playing off of a drive-and-kick point guard. Valentine has the size and length to also be a quality on-ball defender, although his lack of foot speed might limit what he’s able to do against quicker guards and off the ball. He does have good awareness on that end, though, and he’s a good rebounder, meaning he should still have value right off the bat on that end.</p> <p>The most intriguing aspect of Valentine’s game for Boston, though, might be how he could eventually be a replacement for Evan Turner as a creator from the small forward position. Valentine operated as a de facto point guard at Michigan State, and he has excellent court vision, finishing with a 45.8 percent assist rate this year. He may not have the foot speed to effectively be a pick-and-roll guard, but he may find success operating on side-PNRs, where he can try to beat bigs to the corner and take the baseline route to the basket. Valentine’s NBA-ready skill set means that he should be able to jump in and be a contributor off the bench as soon as next year for Boston, and he can provide good value as a shooter and secondary playmaker off of Isaiah Thomas.</p> <p><em>To learn more about Denzel Valentine, <a href=. SF. Michigan State. Denzel Valentine. 16. player