Cleveland Cavaliers: 2 goals for Denzel Valentine in 2021-22

Goal #1 for Valentine: To regain his deep shooting stroke/get in a rhythm game-to-game with the Cavs

As we’ve alluded to, Valentine hasn’t been able to build on what he demonstrated in that 2017-18 season for the Bulls. The health issue has played into that, clearly, and for having any real expectations for him, that’s the obvious prerequisite for him in a bench role.

Valentine is reportedly fully healthy heading into training camp here, though, and I hope that can stay that way for him and the Cavaliers.

Nonetheless, the past two seasons have again not been great from a perimeter shooting standpoint for Valentine, generally. The role inconsistency didn’t help his cause, either; either way, it’s been disappointing, objectively.

But perhaps a change of scenery could make a difference for him as a three-point shooter in stretches off the bench at the 2 and 3 spots for Cleveland. Valentine has shown still in plenty of instances when he’s been regularly involved that he can be a viable floor spacer, and when in-rhythm, he can be a quality catch-and-shoot player.

Others could very well factor into the 2/3 rotation off the bench, and if he can remain healthy, Dylan Windler comes to mind there in that way. Cedi Osman, although he has been a player mentioned in prior trade rumors, I’d think could still get his share of opportunities to rebound after a rough past season at the 3, too. Still, Valentine could play in some stretches with either of those guys.

That said, Valentine, a former lottery pick, is a player that, if he can regain his shooting stroke from earlier in his career, could seemingly play into Osman becoming out of the rotatio. Or maybe that could lead more to Osman being potentially traded at some point. We’ll have to see.