Cavs: 2 realistic expectations for Denzel Valentine in 2021-22

#2: Valentine helps the Cavs some as a ball-mover

I wouldn’t expect Valentine to be having a significant playmaking role in his minutes, and I wouldn’t think he’d be an every-game type player. He could be in the 12-16 minute range next season, depending on how he’s doing/with others involved such as Dylan Windler, Cedi Osman and Lamar Stevens, but to some degree, Valentine could help in the ball movement realm.

Again, with guys such as Darius Garland, Collin Sexton and Ricky Rubio involved, this isn’t suggesting Valentine would be doing so at high volume.

However, he can aid Cleveland as a player that can initiate some productive skip feeds/ball swings on-ball or at times in pick-and-roll, and Valentine can hit meaningful lead passes timely in transition.

So I’d imagine that he could in some minutes with them help generate a bit more off-ball looks for either Sexton or Garland, and Valentine’s longtime Bulls teammate, Markkanen, could be a pick-and-pop and/or cutting target for him. As a cutter, Isaac Okoro could get high percentage shots at times in settled offense or secondary transition from Valentine, too, or Stevens/Evan Mobley occasionally.

Valentine at times does try to do too much admittedly, but the 6-foot-4 Michigan State product has had a respectable assist rate of 14.7 percent for a rotational wing, and in spurts/stretches, he could provide some of a lift in that regard.

We’ll have to see how he fares when the opportunities come for him, though, and he’ll need to stay healthy. And as was noted, the former Bull, who turns 28 in November, needs to find his shooting rhythm and how he meshes with new teammates thus far is uncertain.