The Wizards will think about buying and selling heart Jonas Valanciunas earlier than the Feb. 6 deadline. Nonetheless, they received’t merely promote him to the best bidder, in response to Josh Robbins and David Aldridge of The Athletic.
As Robbins and Aldridge clarify, the Wizards will search the correct of supply for Valanciunas, which might “appreciably” transfer their rebuild ahead. In different phrases, a late second-round choose or two may not sufficiently transfer the needle.
The Wizards’ asking worth can even rely upon what sort of contract(s) they should take again in return for Valanciunas, The Athletic’s duo says. If a commerce accomplice desires to incorporate a extremely paid participant on a multiyear deal (ie. a adverse asset), Washington would doubtless ask for a first-round choose. However, if that staff 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 a little bit skeptical that Valanciunas can have a ton of worth on the commerce market. The previous No. 5 general choose is a proficient inside scorer and rebounder who has the scale to match up with the NBA’s largest facilities. Nonetheless, he doesn’t stretch the ground or defend the rim exceptionally nicely and isn’t agile sufficient to reliably swap onto faster guards and forwards.
Moreover, whereas Valanciunas’ contract isn’t an albatross, it’s probably not 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 greatest the Wizards will have the ability 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 staff if it doesn’t get a suggestion it likes. Jones ended up departing as a free agent throughout the 2024 offseason, however the Wizards would have extra possibilities to maneuver Valanciunas in future transaction home windows.
In accordance with Robbins and Aldridge, Valanciunas was signed by the Wizards to function a pacesetter and mentor for the staff’s younger gamers and to assist defend rookie Alex Sarr from extra bodily matchups. He has performed that function nicely, albeit in a restricted capability — his 19.8 minutes per sport signify 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 stated with fun when requested about his modest workload. “You at all times bought to see the positives too, ? 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 for being traded is a part of the enterprise and is out of his palms.
“I simply are available in each day, work,” he stated. “Each sport, 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 had been additionally said to have interest in him over the summer, although it’s unclear if he’s nonetheless on New York’s radar.
