New Orleans Pelicans: 4 Free Agents to target post-NBA Draft

The New Orleans Pelicans could add Denzel Valentine Jr. to their wing depth and make him an impressive shooting swingman

Denzel Valentine- Chicago Bulls

Here’s another player who hasn’t in the league that long even though he wouldn’t qualify as young at 27 years old, Denzel Valentine.

Valentine was the Chicago Bulls’ first-round pick back in 2016 and it’s safe to say he didn’t turn into the do-it-all contributor that the team wanted him to be. Not all of that is on Valentine though, during his sophomore season he flashed his potential when he averaged 10 points and 3 assists per game while shooting 39 percent from deep off the bench.

The problem is that Chicago’s organizational shortcomings and changes in coaching staff stunted Valentine’s development. I think the New Orleans Pelicans with Stan Van Gundy could put Valentine back on track though.

What Denzel Valentine needs is a defined role, and I think he could find one in Van Gundy’s system as a shooting wing and secondary playmaker off the bench in the 4-out 1-in, pick-and-roll heavy offense.

Since the Chicago Bulls are now being run by Arturas Karnisovas and they drafted Patrick Williams with the 4th pick in last night’s NBA Draft, there’s a good chance that the Bull will not match an offer for Valentine. If that’s the case he’s a cheap option for a player that could become a valuable rotation contributor.

The only problem with Valentine is whether or not the Pelicans staff can get him to play even adequate defense at the NBA level, something he hasn’t done in his career so far. That’s why the New Orleans Pelicans might have better luck looking at this guy.