Bulls Select Denzel Valentine At No. 14
By Cody Westerlund--
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Bulls continued to revamp their backcourt Thursday night in the NBA Draft.
With the No. 14 pick, Chicago selected Michigan State wing Denzel Valentine, a versatile, do-everything four-year college player. His addition came a day after the Bulls traded former MVP Derrick Rose to the Knicks in a blockbuster deal that marked a new direction for the franchise.
"We just thought he was a fit on so many levels," Forman said. "First of all, he's a big-time winner.
"He's one of the most productive players in college basketball. Everybody at Michigan State just raves about his makeup, his character, his leadership, what he brings to the floor each and every day.
"He's got great, great instincts for the game. He's got a terrific feel for the game of basketball."
The 6-foot-6, 210-pound Valentine averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.8 assists as a senior, becoming the first player to achieve those averages since assists became an official stat in 1983-'84. He was named the Big Ten Player of the Year and was the AP's National Player of the Year. He shot 46 percent from the field, 44 percent on 3-pointers and 85 percent from the free-throw line.
Forman envisioned Valentine primarily as a two-guard, adding he could also play point guard or small forward.
"One, two, three, it doesn't matter, so long as I can make an impact," Valentine said.
Some long-term worry persists about knee troubles for the 22-year-old Valentine. He had surgery this past December to repair torn cartilage in his left knee, and as a high school freshman in 2009 he had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee.
The Bulls medical staff was "very comfortable" with Valentine's health, Forman said.
Valentine was present at the draft in Brooklyn and downplayed those concerns, pointing out he played in 144 of 148 possible games at Michigan State.
"I've only missed four games in college," he said on ESPN.
"I'm healthy now. That's all I can say to them."
A highly regarded passer, Valentine brings a versatile skill set and played multiple positions at Michigan State. While he's not a true point guard, Valentine is comfortable with the ball in his hands and making plays for others. Scouting reports laud his size and court vision but consider him to be an average athlete. His vertical measured a pedestrian 32 inches at the NBA Combine.
Warriors forward and fellow Michigan State product Draymond Green is a mentor for Valentine.
"With the things he brings to the table, the winning mentality, being versatile, toughness, a leadership role, high basketball IQ, doing a lot of different things on the court, I definitely compare myself to him," Green said in May at the NBA Combine.
While the Bulls stuck to character by drafting a player who could make an immediate contribution, their night wasn't without some drama. The Bulls had trade talks with the Celtics and Timberwolves centered around Jimmy Butler and their desire to move up to draft Providence guard Kris Dunn, according to multiple reports.
Led by former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, the Wolves selected Dunn at No. 5 and kept him. Forman denied all the trade rumors, calling them "comical" and "false reports."
"We have never made a call in regards to Jimmy Butler," Forman said, while acknowledging that Chicago always listens to other teams' offers.
In the second round at No. 48 overall, the Bulls selected 6-foot-8 forward Paul Zipser of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. He's still under contract in Germany and carries a buyout. The Bulls are hopeful he'll come over this season and join them for training camp after he has national team obligations this summer.
