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2016 NBA Mock Draft: Lakers Slide, Celtics nab Simmons

By Chris Reichert

Feb 20, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) dribbles the ball around Louisville Cardinals forward Deng Adel (22) during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals won 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Louisville, KY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Brandon Ingram (14) dribbles the ball around Louisville Cardinals forward Deng Adel (22) during the second half at KFC Yum! Center. The Cardinals won 71-64. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) reacts to a play against the Florida State Seminoles during the 1st half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Denzel Valentine (45) reacts to a play against the Florida State Seminoles during the 1st half of a game at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 18. If Denzel Valentine is still on the board — and the Celtics keep this pick — I see no way they pass him up. Valentine fits right in with the in-your-face culture Brad Stevens has fostered in Beantown with Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder. Factor in that I have them stealing Ben Simmons at No. 2 in this mock and goodness gracious would Danny Ainge be happy with this draft — and they still have six picks remaining! <p>Valentine looks like he could be Danny Green 2.0 and hopefully the Celtics don’t give up on him like the Cavaliers did with Green, so that they get to reap the rewards. Snatching Denzel here would give Boston the flexibility to possibly let Evan Turner walk as Valentine is only 22-years old and just as versatile as Turner. Last season for Coach Izzo he boasted silly averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.7 assists while shooting 46 percent from the field and 44 percent from distance.</p> <p>Why isn’t this guy being drafted in the top-10 again?! He stands 6-6 and he’s already got an NBA body at 225 pounds, so Boston could expect him to contribute as a rotational guy off the bench immediately.</p> <p><em>To read more about Denzel Valentine, <a href=. SG. Michigan State. Denzel Valentine. 16

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