The Washington Wizards will face a troublesome determination relating to veteran heart Jonas Valanciunas because the commerce deadline attracts nearer.
Valanciunas, 32, signed a three-year, $30 million deal this offseason with the Wizards, making him a free agent in 2027, but additionally somebody with a particularly tradable contract.
HoopsHype reporter Michael Scotto says there’s curiosity across the league in buying Valanciunas by way of commerce.
“Playoff-caliber groups in want of assist at heart have cited Jonas Valanciunas as a possible commerce goal. Valanciunas was acquired in a sign-and-trade take care of the New Orleans Pelicans for being a veteran mentor to No. 2 total choose Alex Sarr and taking a load off the younger rookie guarding the larger gamers within the frontcourt Valanciunas has been efficient as a backup heart for Washington this. season, behind the scenes, Valanciunas helped Sarr’s improvement by competing towards him in apply and instructing him issues on each side of the ball. Scotto writes.
This places the Wizards in a precarious place. Valanciunas is somebody who may earn a little bit extra draft capital for the Wizards within the coming years. However is that this the path Washington desires to go?
Whereas the Wizards are targeted and set on the longer term, it additionally helps rather a lot to have veterans on the roster who can mentor and lure youthful gamers into the NBA. For this reason Valanciunas was launched within the first place, however the Wizards knew there could be suitors for him on the commerce market all through his tenure in Washington
Relying on how these subsequent two months unfold, the Wizards will then be capable of make as acutely aware a call as attainable about whether or not or to not preserve Valanciunas or commerce him for draft capital down the road.
