Denzel Valentine Receives Camp Invite

https://celticswire.usatoday.com/2022/08/12/nba-boston-celtics-valentine-camp-deal-2022/



Boston Celtics reportedly sign former No. 16 pick Denzel Valentine to camp deal


Justin Quinn

August 12, 2022 9:00 am ET



The Boston Celtics are reportedly signing former Maine Celtics wing Denzel Valentine to a camp deal, according to WILX’s Tim Staudt. A native of Lansing, Michigan, Valentine was the No. 14 pick by the Chicago Bulls of the 2016 NBA draft but has struggled at the next level after a successful collegiate career with Michigan State.

Valentine spent the first five seasons of his career with the Bulls. He signed a deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers at the start of last season and was dealt to the New York Knicks as part of a three-team trade. Cut by New York soon after, the former Spartan standout latched on to the Maine Celtics in the hopes of earning time with the Celtics.

That did not happen last season, but could materialize now as Boston looks to bolster its wing depth with one of three open regular roster spots the team has yet to fill.


A career 36% 3-point shooter, Valentine has not yet done well in a large role, but he has shown some promise coming off of the bench as a depth option. Given that is the role he would likely have with the Celtics, it seems he has a solid shot at making the roster.

At age 29, he may have the upside of younger camp participants working against him, but showing he still has a reliable shot from deep could be enough to make Valentine a Celtic come opening night.


Bob
MY NOTE:  6'4", 220#, 6'10" wingspan.  He's actually 28 years old, he'll be 29 on November 16th.  NOT a shooter.  It's hard to say much about his defense since he was on the Bulls when Hoiberg and Billy Donovan were the HCs in Chicago.  Not exactly defensive-minded coaches.  Unfortunately he showed up 2 years after Thibs left.  Then we'd know something.  Do we really need another back court player?  Smart, Brogdon, White, Pritchard are already on board and White is an adequate defensive player to back up Smart, we don't need Valentine for that.


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All these camp invites should help to stimulate a very competitive camp.

A very Jabari Parker type signing. Players that projected with loads of potential but for various reasons never realized their target.

Inexpensive, limited obligation shopping.

Turn over every rock just in case you find a late bloomer or comeback of the year.

Has a really cool name, too bad he never made it….