Chicago Bulls: 3 most replaceable players on current roster

2. Denzel Valentine, Shooting Guard

The Bulls are going to see off the former Michigan State Spartans 6-foot-4 shooting guard Denzel Valentine to the restricted free agent market later this offseason in all likelihood. Valentine was in the final year of his rookie contract through the 2019-20 season, as he was the Bulls first round pick in the 2016 NBA Draft.

While there are definite positive points to the skill set that Valentine brings to the table, replacing him is something the new look Bulls front office regime was likely going to do anyway. They can find the wing depth, facilitating and creating ability, and outside shooting threat that Valentine brings. And it’s likely that he’s hit his ceiling in terms of potential as he’s soon to be in his late 20’s.

In the season that was for the Bulls, Valentine played in 36 games (starting in five of them). He played in the same amount of games as Kornet, and roughly produced the same amount of value too. In those 36 games played for Valentine, he averaged 6.8 points per game, 2.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.2 blocks. He shot 40.9 percent from the field, 33.6 percent from beyond the arc, and 75.0 percent from the free-throw line.

There is without a doubt a better way to take a flier out on some other potent shooting guard or wing out of free agency or in this draft class to replace Valentine in the rotation. It would also be good for Valentine to get a change of scenery to try and rejuvenate his career. Staying healthy is also going to be a big key for him moving forward to stick around in the NBA.