Chicago Bulls: Players that could surprisingly win KIA NBA Award
By Abe Rotbart
No. 4 Kia NBA Sixth Man Award:
The Bulls need Denzel Valentine to win this. If there is one wild card player on this team, it is Denzel.
The number 14 pick in the 2016 draft, a former AP National College Player of the Year, Valentine is still young enough at the age of 25 to carve out an excellent NBA career.
The 2017-18 season saw Denzel raise his averages to a respectable 10.2 points, 3.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds. His injuries set him back last year but as Sam Smith wrote for NBA.com, Valentine says “This will be the first time I’ll be able to be fully healthy. The NBA has not yet seen a fully healthy me.”
Though he will have no shot at starting, the second team projects to be second round pick Daniel Gafford, newly acquired Thaddeus Young, Valentine, a resigned Ryan Arcidiacono and the rookie White.
Denzel will have to be ready from the very first game. If not, his backup spot in the rotation will instantly go to Chandler Hutchinson, a second-year player who has a lot to prove after his injury filled rookie year.
Backing up Zach LaVine at shooting guard and Otto Porter Jr. at small forward, it is conceivable that Valentine will play 20-25 minutes a night. Averages of 14-16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals could propel him into the discussion, especially if the Bulls make the playoffs.
The only other player that possibly could qualify for this award is Thaddeus Young but we have saved the next award for him.