One of the most unexpected moves of free agency came from the Washington Wizards. After a disastrous campaign, many expected a quiet NBA offseason in the nation’s capital. And, for the most part, those assumptions proved correct.
However, the signing of Jonas Valanciunas to a three-year contract in the early hours of free agency came as a surprise to everyone. After a great career with the New Orleans Pelicans, Valaciunas was one of the most coveted centers on the open market.
As a result, several teams, including the Los Angeles Lakers, vied for his services. Initially, before LeBron James signed his contract, Jonas was on the list of players he would take a discount for. Ultimately, that didn’t happen and JV is now in Washington. As a viable asset for any suitor, this move could make a huge amount of sense for the Wizards.
NBA TRADE NEWS AND RUMORS: Jonas Valanciunas, Washington Wizards: News
After years of organizational malfeasance by management, this transfer could well be a clear success. Because it was not a mere whim that pushed them to go after the Lithuanian. The team has a clear plan in mind, and it is not so bad.
Where does the Jonas Valanciunas train land?
The race for Jonas Valanciunas’ services is down to three. And it doesn’t take a genius to figure out who they are. The Golden State Warriors, who were chasing Lauri Markkanen with all their might, and the New York Knicks join the aforementioned Los Angeles Lakers.
For the Warriors, not having Markkanen was a huge blow. Since this iteration of the team took over, they have been seriously lacking in size. Obviously, Lauri would have been a very effective option to fill their size deficit. But Valanciunas could serve as a decent replacement. With only Trayce Jackson-Davis and Kevon Looney in the middle, December can’t come soon enough for Bay Area fans.
On the other hand, the New York Knicks and their center problem are obvious. After a long negotiation process with backup Isaiah Hartenstein, the Oklahoma City Thunder decided to get him. This leaves the Knicks with a clear deficit.
NBA TRADE NEWS AND RUMORS: Jonas Valanciunas, Washington Wizards: News
Beyond Mitchell Robinson, they don’t have any credible size to rely on. That’s where Jonas could fit in perfectly. By taking on that iHart role, Valanciunas could flourish in the Big Apple.
For the Lakers, moving Anthony Davis to center remains a perpetual dream. But with Jaxon Hayes and Christian Wood as center options, Valanciunas represents a significant upgrade. While they remain reluctant to part with draft capital, a move by December may be inevitable.
Optimism in Washington?
Over the past few years, Wizards fans have become accustomed to disastrous decisions from management. Signing players to premium contracts was a common problem. But it became even more serious with Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma, and Kristaps Porzingis. Then trading them for pennies wasn’t ideal either and led to understandable frustration.
But this offseason, the team’s moves have given fans some hope. First, spending money wisely was a priority, which they did. Second, they were successful in the draft and have a young core that they can now potentially develop.
NBA TRADE NEWS AND RUMORS: Jonas Valanciunas, Washington Wizards: News
The Valanciunas trade was the cream of the crop. With the cap space they had, the team made sure to add a tradeable asset, which could give them youth and/or draft capital for the future.
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