Chicago Bulls training camp is right around the corner, with the first preseason game coming Oct. 3 against the Milwaukee Bucks. Between then and now, CSNChicago.com will take a look at each player on the Bulls’ roster to preview and project their importance to the team as the Bulls hope to qualify for the 2017 NBA Playoffs.
Player: Denzel Valentine
Position: Shooting guard/Small forward
Experience: Rookie
2015-16 Stats (At Michigan State): 19.2 points, 7.8 assists, 7.5 rebounds
2016-17 Outlook: When the Bulls selected Valentine in the first round of the NBA draft, it was thought he could plug a lot of holes and earn some valuable playing time despite not having one true position.
Then with the Bulls signing Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade in addition to trading from Jerian Grant right before the draft, Valentine’s role got a little more murky, and one wonders if he’ll have a place in the rotation — almost similar to the plight of Bobby Portis last season, a victim of the numbers game.
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This season will probably be a learning one as opposed to one where he gets lots of minutes due to the depth on the roster — and with the fact the Bulls are aiming to return to the playoffs, relying heavily on a rookie when their overall margin for error will be slim is unlikely.
But, Valentine is still a skill player in a skill league playing for a coach who values that more than anything. At his size, he’ll be able to spot the open man or at least, make the next pass over if he’s on the floor with Rondo or Jimmy Butler.
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Defensively, he may struggle in a one-on-one setting but being a good team defender is far more important in this scheme, especially with Butler on the floor.
His passing is probably his best skill being a rookie, with the size and court vision to be more than competent, and he could even play up to four positions if the Bulls go super small.
Counting on him to be the shot-maker he was at Summer League is unrealistic, because he won’t have the responsibility or the opportunity to do that if all things are equal.
But being a floor spreader is a value he’ll have, as he can hit shots when teams lag off Butler or Wade, assuming he takes some minutes at backup point guard over Grant or Spencer Dinwiddie or Isaiah Canaan.