There’s a sense that Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas won’t return to the team this offseason, and the Sixers could be an option for him in free agency. According to PHLY Sports’ Kyle Neubeck (Twitter link), Philadelphia “kicked the tires” on a trade for the big man earlier this season. Equipped with spending power this offseason, circling back to Valanciunas might make sense for the 76ers.
The 32-year-old big man would be arguably the best backup center that Joel Embiid has had in Philly. In his last three seasons with New Orleans, Valanciunas averaged 14.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game while making 54.9% of his shots from the field.
We have more from the Atlantic Division:
- In a mailbag previewing Philadelphia’s offseason, Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes that it would be shocking if Tobias Harris returned to the team, adding that he “strongly” believes Harris’ tenure in Philly is over. Pompey also sees the Sixers undergoing a complete roster overhaul this summer.
- Bringing on Leon Rose and Tom Thibodeau — as well as acquiring players like Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby — are obvious reasons for the Knicks‘ success this season. However, as detailed in a piece by ESPN’s Chris Herring, some of the moves they didn’t make also helped the Knicks achieve their best record in over a decade. While the Knicks were panned for missing out on the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Donovan Mitchell over the past few years, it allowed them to maintain their assets and develop from within.
- The Raptors are in a no-win situation at this week’s draft lottery, TSN’s Josh Lewenberg writes. The Raptors have the sixth-best odds at the top overall pick but in the likely event it falls out of the top six (54.2% chance), Toronto owes its pick to San Antonio as per the Jakob Poeltl trade in 2023. Keeping the pick and landing in the top six sounds good in theory, but in that event, the Raptors then owe a top-six protected pick in 2025, which would limit their flexibility going forward.
Valančiūnas has to come to Philly. He bears a striking resemblance to Jason Kelce after all.
*TRAVIS Kelce
If overcompensating was a hot take this would be it. You don’t dump that much money that Big Val is likely to garner into a backup Center. They just need a competent backup. Not a 15-20M backup.
I don’t see Jv fetching more than 12m per but yea still too much for a bu C on an JE team
Don’t understand why everyone assumes they are picking up Paul’s 7 m either … I’d play the open market w that money as well and decline his option .( maybe circle back for lower price if his market doesn’t materialize )
Can’t deny Phillys off-season will be completely fascinating tho from afar – Good luck
The NYK were, rightly, panned for KD and KI. But not because a 17-65 team didn’t turn out to be their destination of choice. It was because of how the Three Stooges (TP, GM and HC) talked from the time of the KP6 trade to the start of the off season. They had the media, and even other FO’s, thinking they had an agreement in place with the guys – or, either that, or these guys are the biggest idiots to ever run an NBA team.
Not sure who panned the NYK for Donovan Mitchell, even at the time. I thought it was pretty universal that the FO did the right thing in backing away. Many media types expressed suprise that they had the discipline to do it, considering that prior NYK FO’s never seemed to have any.
Why would you invest so much money into a back up player that plays the same position as your best player? Especially Without building out a strong starting 5 first.
The worst part it’s not like he’s going to contribute during the playoffs anyways cause he can hardly stay on the floor in the postseason cause he can’t switch on defence.
I thought he’d be a terrific Steven Adams replacement for Memphis who need a centre.
GSW, the Magic and the Laker could all also need a centre and would make a lot more sense
OKC could use big Val.