New Orleans Pelicans: 4 Former 1st Round Picks to Pursue in Free Agency

This time, the New Orleans Pelicans find a sweet-shooting wing with playmaking potential

Denzel Valentine- Chicago Bulls

When the Chicago Bulls selected Denzel Valentine with the 14th pick in the 2016 draft, I loved the move. I thought Denzel Valentine would blossom into an ideal combo-forward in the Draymond Green mold. So far in his career though, that hasn’t happened.

A big part of his failures so far though, is due to the organization he’s stuck in. The Chicago Bulls are an incompetent organization and a lot of the promise on their young roster has suffered because of it.

Denzel Valentine saw his minutes fluctuate and played under two coaching staffs with opposing philosophies, he needs to play for a team where he’ll have a defined role. The New Orleans Pelicans could be that team.

Denzel Valentine would be an interesting player for the Pelicans to target because he can play positions 2 through 4 on the court and brings a reliable 3-point shot.  He’s an excellent complementary piece too because he’s a smart passer who knows when to pass up his shot and give star players the ball in their sweet-spots.

We haven’t seen these traits in Chicago recently but trust me they’re there and that’s why if I’m the New Orleans Pelicans I give Denzel Valentine a serious look during this free agency period.