The Chicago Bulls take Denzel Valentine, one of the top guys on their board. What position will he be playing for the Bulls?
The Player: Denzel Valentine was one of the best players in college basketball this past season, the complete package at point forward for the Michigan State Spartans. Valentine is an elite playmaker, rebounds very well for his size, and can score inside and out. Two red flags come up for Valentine: his knees are said to be a long-term health risk, and at 22 he has less room for development than younger prospects. But he also brings experience and leadership with him, intangibles that shouldn’t be ignored.
The Fit: Chicago needs a ball-handler with the trade of Derrick Rose, and Valentine can do just that. It’s unclear where Valentine will officially slot in; the Bulls could use a point guard, but they also need depth on the wing, and Fred Hoiberg was comfortable with his forwards handling the ball at Iowa State. The Bulls continue to lose plus defenders and replace them with shaky defenders, but Valentine is athletic and tries on defense, which matters.
The Spot: Backup ball-handler
The Grade: B+
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
