Report: C Jonas Valanciunas to sign with Wizards

Field Level Media|published: Sun 30th June, 22:02 2024

Apr 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) drives into Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) during game four of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Free agent center Jonas Valanciunas will sign a three-year contract with the Washington Wizards worth $30 million, ESPN reported Sunday.

The 32-year-old Valanciunas started all 82 games for the New Orleans Pelicans last season, averaging 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists.

In 12 NBA seasons, Valanciunas has career averages of 13.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 856 games (827 starts) with the Toronto Raptors (2012-18), Memphis Grizzlies (2019-21) and Pelicans (2021-24). He has shot 56.1 percent from the field.

Valanciunas was believed to be among the players LeBron James had in mind when he offered to take less money to re-sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Wizards went 15-67 last season, only one game better than the league-worst Detroit Pistons. Washington has not enjoyed a winning season since 2017-18, when it went 43-39.

--Field Level Media

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