The Celtics have agreed to a deal with free agent swingman Denzel Valentine, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic, who reports that Valentine will be signing an Exhibit 10 contract with Boston and will compete in training camp for a spot on the regular season roster.
The 14th overall pick in the 2016 draft, Valentine spent the first five years of his NBA career in Chicago before signing last offseason with the Cavaliers. He played a minor role in 22 games for Cleveland, then was dealt in January to the Knicks, who waived him. Following a 10-day contract with the Jazz, Valentine played in the G League for the rest of the 2021/22 season.
Considered a strong three-point shooter, Valentine has made 36.0% of his attempts from beyond the arc in 256 NBA appearances (18.8 MPG). He has also knocked down 41.2% of his three-pointers in a small G League sample (16 games). Valentine appeared in 12 games (31.9 MPG) last season with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate, filling up the box score with 14.6 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 7.0 APG.
The Celtics have at least 11 players expected to make their regular season roster, with Luke Kornet viewed as a strong candidate to be the 12th. The team has reportedly reached deals with Valentine, Bruno Caboclo, and Noah Vonleh to compete for the 13th and 14th spots — free agents like Brodric Thomas and Justin Jackson are also expected by local reporters to vie for a spot on Boston’s roster.
Because Valentine has been in the NBA for five seasons, he’s ineligible to have his Exhibit 10 contract converted into a two-way deal, but he could earn a bonus worth up to $50K if he’s waived and reports back to Maine for at least 60 days.
Bulls drafted this scrub over Siakam, Dejounte, Zubac and Brodgan. Hold that L Chicago!!
You do realize teams draft potential right they and moof the league didn’t know those four guys would be who they are just Kawhi Leonard who went in the second round
The kid has to have been ok to last the full 4yrs in Chicago
*had
An NBA franchise has to choose the right people and put in the time to do good scouting and identify players with high ceiling. I watched this guy play with the Spartans and was not impressed at all!
Agreed. I watched his games at MSU and was not impressed. His jumpshot was always ugly, but he was streaky. He was also a terrible finisher at the basket.
Celtics drafted Gershon Yabusele that same year over all those guys as well….
Not to mention Phoenix with Dragan Bender and Georgios Papagiannis
Ahh, Yabusele was something for the Celtics! Entertaining so too bad he couldn’t make it!
He does play for a very good team France in international tournaments.
Good signing! Nice 36% history from three & now in his prime he may shoot even better. Was injured after showing promise. Celts saw him last year play a bit for the Maine Celtics. Not a 6’1″ shorty. Might surprise. Earn your roster spot Denzel, this is your 2nd chance!
Go Celts!
Uh, no. He is terrible and cannot stay healthy. Just an extra scrub for training camp drills.
Celts should have a very good, competitive training camp, especially for the last few spots. Looking forward to what Coach Udoka comes up with! Hopefully we haven’t lost too much with Danny snatching up last year’s top assistant Will Hardy. Go Celtics!
You need a young center taller than 6’10.
Really just hoping Stevens can hit on one of these scrubs to help grab rebounds and take some pressure off of Timelord & Hordford.
Go get Giles