Jonas Valanciunas completed his third season with the New Orleans Pelicans.
The veteran center finished the season averaging 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 55.9% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range in 82 games.
During the offseason, Valanciunas signed with the Washington Wizards.
From the Pelicans on July 6: “The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired a protected 2027 second-round pick from the Washington Wizards in exchange for center Jonas Valanciunas as part of a sign-and-trade agreement between the two teams, it was announced today.”
The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired a protected 2027 second-round pick from the Washington Wizards in exchange for center Jonas Valanciunas as part of a sign-and-trade agreement between the two teams, it was announced today.
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) July 6, 2024
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the details of the deal.
June 30th, via Wojnarowski: “Free agent center Jonas Valanciunas has agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with the Washington Wizards, sources tell ESPN.”
Free agent center Jonas Valanciunas has agreed to a three-year, $30 million contract with the Washington Wizards, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/0XnEyWotOw
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2024
Recently, ESPN's Brian Windhorst Hoop Collective Podcast) reported that the Los Angeles Lakers are a possible destination for Valanciunas (h/t HoopsHyp).
Windhorst: “I wouldn't rule out Jonas Valanciunas going to the Lakers this year. That's all I'm saying.”
Valanciunas was the fifth overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft and played 12 seasons with the Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies.
In 856 regular season games, he averaged 13.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 56.1% from the field and 34.8% from three-point range.
He also appeared in 58 NBA playoff games, including 51 starts, and was a member of the Raptors during the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals.
