Jonas Valanciunas To Finish The Year In Washington?
Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with the team this offseason. However, NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps have doubts about him playing out his contract in Washington. In fact, both believe he could be gone ahead of the 2024-25 trade deadline, with the Lakers being a team mentioned as a possible landing spot. At any rate, Valanciunas is coming off a down year, finishing with averages of 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds. The Wizards selected Alexandre Sarr in the 2024 NBA Draft, so his development could be the deciding factor. If Valanciunas ends up in Los Angeles, he'll likely see plenty of minutes. In addition, Anthony Davis could finally slide back over to the four spot, potentially enhancing his shooting from behind the arc.
New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas is expected to move on from Louisiana as a free agent this summer and has been linked with the Los Angeles Lakers. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Valanciunas has been "often mentioned by NBA figures as a potential Lakers frontcourt addition." It was recently suggested that the Lakers are looking to pick up a center this offseason to give Anthony Davis more minutes as a power forward. Valanciunas, who celebrated his 32nd birthday last month, is coming off a disappointing season. After averaging a double-double in five consecutive campaigns, the Lithuanian big man was limited to 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds in 23.5 minutes.
Pelicans Likely To "Move On" From Jonas Valanciunas
The New Orleans Pelicans are expected to move on from center Jonas Valanciunas this offseason. The 32-year-old will officially be an unrestricted free agent this summer, with the Pelicans planning to construct the roster to complement the skillset of Zion Williamson better. But Valanciunas, averaging 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds during the 2023-24 campaign, will draw interest from at least a handful of teams. Although his production was down last season, he's among the most durable big men in the National Basketball Association. With that in mind, if Valanciunas finds a stable role for a new team, he could continue to provide double-double upside for fantasy managers.
Jonas Valanciunas Leads Pelicans In Scoring Wednesday
New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas finished Wednesday's heavy 124-92 loss to the Thunder in Game 2 as the team's top scorer, netting 19 points in 23 minutes on 8-for-14 shooting. The Lithuanian big man had an incredible start to the contest, scoring all of New Orleans' first 11 points. A Herbert Jones triple broke Valanciunas' scoring run at the 7:58 mark in the first quarter. After gobbling up 20 rebounds in Game 1, Valanciunas settled for seven boards this time, adding two assists to his tally. The Pelicans center has been productive in the series, but his defensive shortcoming resulted in Chet Holmgren getting 20 first-half points in Game 2. The veteran definitely has to improve at that end to earn consistent playing time.
New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (illness) is questionable for Thursday's battle with the Cavaliers. He's one of three Pelicans players who find themselves on the injury report with an illness. New Orleans' frontcourt could be very shorthanded for the matchup, as Zion Williamson (illness) is also among the players with a question mark, and Cody Zeller's (ankle) status is uncertain due to an injury. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl could be poised for a busy night if the health issues don't clear up for the Pelicans by game time.
Team Lithuania center Jonas Valanciunas posted a strong outing to help with the effort to take down the favored Team USA on Sunday. The veteran big man posted 12 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks while shooting 4-for-6 from the floor and knocking down his only three of the game. Lithuania pulled off the shocking upset with a lopsided rebounding advantage and a huge first quarter which propelled their lead the rest of the game.
New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas has been in trade rumors all summer, with the team reportedly looking to move on from him due to his defensive shortcomings, but it now appears that there won't be a break-up after all. The Lithuanian giant will continue as the Pelicans' starting center, writes William Guillory of The Athletic in his mailbag column. According to Guillory, New Orleans was looking to replace Valanciunas with Cleveland's Jarrett Allen and was also interested in Detroit's Isaiah Stewart, but no deal was reached. Valanciunas himself was recently quoted saying he wants to remain in New Orleans. The 31-year-old has spent two seasons with the Pelicans, averaging 15.9 points and 10.8 rebounds. He starts the final season of his two-year, $30.1 million deal in 2023-24.
Jonas Valanciunas Interested In Staying With Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas is eligible for a contract extension after signing one in 2021 for two years. In an interview with Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, Valanciunas stated, "And I want to stay longer there. I like the New Orleans group. I'm ready to go and do it." Until injuries derailed the season, the Pelicans were at the top of the Western Conference early last year. The Lithuanian big man has spent two seasons in New Orleans so far and has averaged 15.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game across 27.5 minutes per contest.
New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas could be on the move this offseason. Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer reports that the 31-year-old is available in trade talks as the Pelicans seek "more mobile, rim-protecting big men". Valanciunas handled just 24.9 minutes per game last season, his lowest since 2018-2019. New Orleans could also be looking to clear up the paint on both ends of the floor to accommodate for slashing phenom Zion Williamson. Considering Valanciunas holds an expiring contract, it's not surprising to hear the glass-cleaning big man be dispensable this summer. Even so, "JV" managed to average a double-double with 14.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game in the Big Easy last season despite limited court time.
New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas recently mentioned that he would like to remain with the organization. He continued by saying the two of them have discussed an extension, but Valanciunas knows this offseason isn't easy for New Orleans. The Pelicans have multiple key players that need to be extended, so Valanciunas might not be at the top of the list. Regardless, it sounds like the big man is open to staying in New Orleans long term. He still has one-year left under his current contract, so the two sides don't have to come to terms on a deal this offseason. The 31-year-old averaged 14.1 points, 10. 2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 79 games with the Pelicans last season.
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