Terry Foster: Denzel Valentine Has Not Been 'Red Flagged' By Teams

By Terry Foster
@TerryFoster971

Michigan State guard Denzel Valentine does not have a degenerative knee condition that is going to significantly shorten his career. He's worked out for five or six NBA teams and he was not red flagged during the combines.

That is the word I got last night from one of my league sources that I trust and from someone close to Valentine. The league source said there are some knee concerns but he knows that Valentine has not been "red flagged" by a number of teams although he said every team doctor is different and that it is possible that someone did red flag him.

A red flag in this case means buyer beware, that Valentine has a problem that will shorten his career.

"I know we have a report on him and we did not red flag him," the source said. "He is going to have a long career and he is going to play right away. I mean right away."

Valentine had left knee surgery to clean it out and clean out cartilage and repair a meniscus. However, he has recovered and is working out and anticipating Thursday's NBA Draft in New York. Meanwhile Valentine has dropped from a top 10 pick to the late teens in the latest Mock Drafts because of reports he has a bum knee.

Valentine played 144 games for Michigan State and missed just four games in four seasons under the tough system of Coach Tom Izzo. He was named college basketball player of the year his senior season.

Valentine was slated to be picked in the 10-15 range before these reports. Now he could slip as far down as 20 which means the Pistons could get a crack at Valentine at 18. If he tumbles that far the Pistons should select Valentine. They would be getting great value for a guy that can play multiple positions.

The Pistons need a backup point guard for starter Reggie Jackson. Notre Dame's Demetrius Jackson makes sense if he is there. However, Jackson is a guy that could create problems and want to start at some point. He is a point guard while Valentine is more versatile.

Valentine stands 6-foot-5 and can play point forward and shooting guard. He can also guard small forwards in a pinch. He'd be a great fit for the Pistons because the word versatility comes out of General Manager Jeff Bower and Coach Stan Van Gundy every five seconds when talking about a roster.

Valentine is as versatile as they come.

My concern with him is decision making. Sometimes it is terrific and this guy controls games like a maestro. Then sometimes it all goes away and you wonder when it will return again.

The bottom line is Valentine is a winner and will help a number of teams, including the Pistons.

(Foster can be reached at Terry.Foster@cbsradio.com)