Denzel Valentine Injured, Again
Things are off to an ominous start for the 4th-year wing, looking to find his role under a new coaching staff.
Denzel Valentine’s 2020–21 season probably is the most important one of his career. Injuries have prevented him from staying in previous coaches’ rotations, leaving doubt if he can be relied on at an NBA level. Valentine called the upcoming season “a blessing,” and a “fresh start” in an interview with Bulls insider K.C. Johnson. Which frankly, it is. He has a brand new coaching staff and a front office that clearly values him.
The Bulls offered Valentine a qualifying offer, which surprised many. What didn’t surprise anyone was how quickly Valentine accepted the offer. But what is clear is that the Bulls value Valentine, and specifically his shooting.
The franchise has continuously hinted at a lack of 3-point shooting ability being the reason that Kris Dunn and Shaquille Harrison were not brought back. But Nov. 16, Valentine suffered what is being called a “tweaked hamstring,” which I assume is a hamstring strain.
Valentine’s hamstring injury has prevented him from practicing since training camp started. The Bulls already have announced he will miss the first two games of the preseason, with the hopes that he can start practicing Saturday.
While it does not seem like Valentine will miss significant time, his “most important season” is already off to a rough start. And while he has plenty of time to get healthy, the question of whether he can actually be a contributor on a winning team only will get louder and louder.
