OKC Thunder 30 for 30 Part 5: Bullish on Denzel Valentine

Contract and Trade

2018-19 – $2,280,600
2019-20 – $3,377,569 (Team Option)
2020-21 – $4,698,198 (Qualifying Offer – RFA)

After just two seasons in the league, Valentine remains on his rookie scale deal that is team controlled until 2021. With the cap hit rising over the next few seasons, his cap hit becomes less impactful making him an appealing trade piece should Chicago part ways with him.

More from Thunderous Intentions

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• 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
• Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

Its difficult to understand what Chicago are doing with its roster given the jam of guards and power forwards. In the best case scenario, the Bulls take one of OKC’s lower tier forwards and a second round pick for Valentine.

Worst case is the Thunder give up 20 year old Terrance Ferguson for him though, id Imagine Presti wouldn’t trade him due to his high upside. Either way, matching Valentine’s salary is a non-issue.

Final Thought

After just two seasons in the league, Valentine appears content with being a catch and shoot player. With Westbrook, Paul George and Dennis Schroder three ball dominant players, he slides perfectly into OKC’s system.

If his projections are correct, Valentine’s game is essentially a rich-man’s Alex Abrines, possessing better handling and elite marksmanship from range.

While his defense is a concern, the Thunder’s roster is full of defensive minded players capable of hiding him on that end of the court. He provides what Oklahoma City need – elite perimeter shooting who doesn’t need the ball.