The Wizards will contemplate buying and selling middle Jonas Valanciunas earlier than the Feb. 6 deadline. Nevertheless, they received’t merely promote him to the best bidder, in line with Josh Robbins and David Aldridge of The Athletic.
As Robbins and Aldridge clarify, the Wizards will search the proper of supply for Valanciunas, which may “appreciably” transfer their rebuild ahead. In different phrases, a late second-round choose or two won’t sufficiently transfer the needle.
The Wizards’ asking worth may also depend upon what sort of contract(s) they should take again in return for Valanciunas, The Athletic’s duo says. If a commerce companion needs to incorporate a extremely paid participant on a multiyear deal (ie. a unfavourable asset), Washington would seemingly ask for a first-round choose. However, if that workforce is providing a extra favorable short-term contract, then a pair early second-round picks may very well be sufficient for the Wizards to make a transfer.
I’m slightly skeptical that Valanciunas can have a ton of worth on the commerce market. The previous No. 5 total choose is a proficient inside scorer and rebounder who has the dimensions to match up with the NBA’s largest facilities. Nonetheless, he doesn’t stretch the ground or shield the rim exceptionally properly and isn’t agile sufficient to reliably change onto faster guards and forwards.
Moreover, whereas Valanciunas’ contract isn’t an albatross, it’s not likely a cut price both — the 32-year-old has a $9.9M cap hit this season and is owed a $10.4M assured wage in 2025-26. His $10M wage for 2026-27 is non-guaranteed.
One league supply who spoke to Robbins and Aldridge believes {that a} pair of second-round picks (not essentially early ones) would be the finest the Wizards will be capable to do in a commerce involving the Lithuanian massive man.
In fact, this entrance workplace confirmed a yr in the past when it retained level guard Tyus Jones via the commerce deadline that it’s prepared to maintain a veteran on a lottery-bound workforce if it doesn’t get a suggestion it likes. Jones ended up departing as a free agent in the course of the 2024 offseason, however the Wizards would have extra probabilities to maneuver Valanciunas in future transaction home windows.
In response to Robbins and Aldridge, Valanciunas was signed by the Wizards to function a pacesetter and mentor for the workforce’s younger gamers and to assist shield rookie Alex Sarr from extra bodily matchups. He has performed that function properly, albeit in a restricted capability — his 19.8 minutes per recreation symbolize a profession low. He has averaged 11.6 factors and eight.1 rebounds throughout 38 outings (eight begins).
“It’s good on my physique,” Valanciunas mentioned with amusing when requested about his modest workload. “You at all times acquired to see the positives too, you recognize? It’s good on my physique, and I’m not drained. I’m able to go. Anytime coach calls my quantity, I’m right here to do no matter. I signed up for that.”
Valanciunas joked that he plans to show his cellphone off because the commerce deadline nears, including that he is aware of the potential of being traded is a part of the enterprise and is out of his arms.
“I simply are available every single day, work,” he mentioned. “Each recreation, I play one hundred pc. That’s all I can do. That’s all I do. It’s above me. I’ve no management in that.”
The Lakers have lengthy been cited as a potential suitor for Valanciunas. The Knicks have been additionally said to have interest in him over the summer, although it’s unclear if he’s nonetheless on New York’s radar.
