6:00pm: The move is official, per NBA.com’s transaction log.
4:09pm: The Celtics intend to waive veteran swingman Denzel Valentine, according to Jared Weiss and Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
After the news broke that Boston was signing Blake Griffin, the team had to release a player to make room on its 20-man training camp roster. Since Valentine was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract, he’ll be eligible for a bonus worth up to $50K if he spends at least 60 days with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate — assuming, of course, that he doesn’t land with another NBA team in the meantime.
The 14th overall pick in the 2016 draft out of Michigan State, 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. In 12 games with the Maine Celtics last season, he averaged 14.6 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 7.0 APG and 1.1 APG on .440/.352/.786 shooting.
In 256 career NBA games (18.8 MPG), Valentine holds averages of 7.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG and 1.8 APG on .394/.360/.787 shooting.
Valentine is not great, but not sure at this point in his career Griffin is any better.
Griffin is at least a big body and 6 fouls. Valentine is awful with his horrible no look passes and terrible defense
Griffin is at least a big body and 6 fouls. Valentine is awful with his horrible no look passes and terrible defense
Denzel Valentine will look great playing in China. The scouting report on him is he can shoot but he’s a defensive liability. So I’m not sure it’s a place in the NBA for him.
Ironmonger : lmao…danzel terrible in everything. And garpax pick him over siakam,murray,and brogdon.
Griffin plays a position of need.