The Wizards have found a new starting center, having agreed to terms with Jonas Valanciunas on a three-year, $30MM contract, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link).
According to Josh Robbins of The Athletic, it’s a straight three-year deal, with no player or team option (Twitter link).
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports linked Valanciunas to the rebuilding Wizards just before free agency opened. The Lakers were reportedly among the other suitors for the 32-year-old.
As cap expert Yossi Gozlan tweets, Washington has a couple options to complete the move. The most straightforward way would be to use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. However, the Wizards also have a trade exception that could be used to acquire Valanciunas via sign-and-trade, which could be help the Pelicans — Valanciunas’ former club — find a starting center to replace the veteran big man if the deal is expanded. Either scenario would see the Wizards hard-capped at the first tax apron.
One of the NBA’s best rebounders on a per-minute basis, Valanciunas is a throwback center who primarily operates out of the low post, relying on size and strength rather than agility and athleticism. He has been quite durable over the course of his 12-year career, including playing all 82 games for New Orleans in 2023/24.
Overall, Valanciunas averaged 12.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG and 2.1 APG on .559/.308/.785 shooting in 23.5 MPG last season.
While he has his limitations, primarily on defense, Valanciunas will provide veteran leadership, professionalism, toughness, and production in the middle for a young Wizards team that added its presumptive center of the future (Alex Sarr) on Wednesday with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.
This is actually a good move by the Wizards…What gives? lol
It’s a new day in DC. Leonsis finally let someone other than his favorite yes man run the team.
Jonas Valancuinas 3 years $30 million is a great deal but not for the Washington Wizards. They should be trying to lose as many games as possible.
Thats a great value contract.
Surprising they want him to mentor Sarr and that the Lakers wouldn’t give him 10 mil abt more to get him and back up AD.
im upset….i KNEW the warriors couldve afforded this guy..dammit.
If Wiggins stays put this offseason, Jonas matches up now on a 1-1 deal a bit later on
He’s a big lug. Doesn’t fit into what the Warriors do on offense. Nice player and this is a good deal for the Wizards but he doesn’t fit on every team.
And as a side note is he able to switch out at the top of the key on those pick and rolls or does he get exposed?
With due respect Gary, “what the Warriors do on offense” is changing. Klay is gone now, times are changing. Jonas would have been a nice bench option for GSW and still might be a bit later down the road….
Well there’s no denying he certainly scored at will AGAINST the Warriors the last couple of years. He definitely knew how to take advantage of Golden State’s lack of size underneath.
His defense is very poor. There are other big men out there a lot cheaper. Lakers were considering him. The lakers also lost out on CP3 who they wanted. Now they might be getting desperate for Thompson.
If Thompson wants another ring he’d go to Dallas.
That would be epic. He would separate himself from Steph and green with a fifth ring that they don’t have LOL
Told to go away by Golden State yet winds up with more championships LOL
This is bad for the Pelicans, who is going to be their center next season? I dont see an attractive option in Free Agency nor in the trade market
As a Bulls fan, I would like to see them trade for Vooch, and a sign and trade for DeRizan as we start to tear things down, I also think Claxton is an ok option as the Nets tear everything down
Nets just re-signed Claxton to a four year deal.
Hartenstein.
Wanted him in Sacramento
He was great for us as a Grizzly and his game never seems to get old. Sarr will love playing with him. With this trade, the Brogdon trade and their other draft choices Washington is on the way up. Hope they can re-sign Tyus.
Good pick from the wiz org… now the younglings can learn from him.
A good move
So will they start Sarr at the 4? Or bring him off the bench to start
Lol! He doesnt want to play with coach lebron
Portland has a few centers out there for NO.
JV just winding down his career. Got himself a decent contract.
Absolutely no pressure to win now.
How is it that competitive teams like the Lakers, GSW or OKC didn’t give him 10mil a season.
Especially the Lakers, you just gave Christie 8mil and he was your third choice SG last season …
Why sign with a suck team?