NBA: Top 10 Candidates For Rookie Of The Year Award In 2016-17

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver holds a basketball while posing for a photo with draft prospects from left Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) , Ben Simmons (LSU), Brandon Ingram (Duke) and Kris Dunn (Providence) before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

6 of 12

Sep 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Denzel Valentine (45) poses for a photo during Bulls media day at The Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Denzel Valentine

Between Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler, the Chicago Bulls‘ backcourt is pretty much set. But with zero shooting among that trio, and given his ceiling as a guard version of Draymond Green, rookie Denzel Valentine could have a very promising career ahead of him.

He may have struggled with his efficiency at NBA Summer League, shooting 35.2 percent from the floor and 12-for-47 from three-point range, but he also put up 11.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.6 steals per game and knocked down shots when they mattered most:

Eventually, the 6’6″ Valentine may be able to play positions 1-3. He’s an incredibly smart player with elite court vision, playmaking ability, solid defensive skills and an efficient touch from the perimeter that the Bulls desperately need.

It didn’t show up in Summer League, but Valentine shot 44.4 percent from downtown last season while posting an extremely well-rounded 19-8-8 stat line to win AP Player of the Year honors. He may not get too many opportunities as a rookie, but if he does, and if he comes back strong from his two-week ankle injury, it probably means he’ll have earned those minutes with Rookie of the Year-caliber play.