Jonas Valanciunas likely to leave Pelicans in free agency
Michael Scotto: There’s a sense Jonas Valanciunas won’t return as a Pelican this offseason in free agency, I’m told. Valanciunas essentially split center minutes with Larry Nance Jr. this season and was benched often to close games. When Zion is healthy and playing, Valanciunas occupies the paint and clogs driving lanes for Zion. While he’s still a double-double threat, he’s not an ideal fit for this roster, and his near double-double production will likely be more valued by other teams on the unrestricted free-agent market. Will Guillory: I’d be pretty surprised if he was back because of how they were treating his spot in the rotation late in the season. There were a few times when they didn’t play him in the second half and prioritized having space around Zion, and I think they’ll want that in a center of the future next to Zion moving forward. There are a lot of valuable traits Valanciunas brings. He shows up every night and played all 82 games and was a really good paint scorer in games where Zion didn’t play.
Source: HoopsHype
Source: HoopsHype
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Evan Sidery @esidery
The Pelicans are not expected to re-sign Jonas Valanciunas, per @MikeAScotto (hoopshype.com/lists/pelicans…).
New Orleans will be prioritizing floor-spacing around Zion Williamson this offseason.
Valanciunas becomes one of the best available bigs in unrestricted free agency. pic.twitter.com/8WiCheMDZc – 12:20 PM
The Pelicans are not expected to re-sign Jonas Valanciunas, per @MikeAScotto (hoopshype.com/lists/pelicans…).
New Orleans will be prioritizing floor-spacing around Zion Williamson this offseason.
Valanciunas becomes one of the best available bigs in unrestricted free agency. pic.twitter.com/8WiCheMDZc – 12:20 PM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Reporting on Pelicans star Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram trade possibilities, CJ McCollum’s future, free agency for Jonas Valanciunas, a possible Trey Murphy extension, Jose Alvarado, Naji Marshall, and more with @WillGuillory on the @hoopshype podcast. hoopshype.com/lists/pelicans… – 10:46 AM
Reporting on Pelicans star Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram trade possibilities, CJ McCollum’s future, free agency for Jonas Valanciunas, a possible Trey Murphy extension, Jose Alvarado, Naji Marshall, and more with @WillGuillory on the @hoopshype podcast. hoopshype.com/lists/pelicans… – 10:46 AM
More on this storyline
After missing last year’s 2023 FIBA World Cup, Domantas Sabonis is ready to come back representing the Lithuanian national team this summer on the road to the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. As announced by head coach Kazys Maksvytis in today’s press conference, fully reported by 15min.lt, both he and Jonas Valanciunas will be available. “They had a tough season, a marathon of tough games. I talked with both of them, and they even asked for preparation plans. We have received a firm yes from them”, the former Zalgiris Kaunas’ coach said, confirming their participation. -via EuroHoops.net / May 1, 2024
Christian Clark: Jonas Valanciunas played every game this season. “I should get pain killers deal,” he said. -via Twitter @cclark_13 / April 30, 2024
Clemente Almanza: FINAL: Thunder 97, Pelicans 89 SGA – 24 points, 10 rebounds JDub – 24 points, 8 rebounds Chet – 14 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists Giddey – 14 points McCollum – 20 points, 6 rebounds Valanciunas – 19 points, 13 rebounds Ingram – 8 points, 6 assists OKC sweeps NOLA, 4-0 -via Twitter @CAlmanza1007 / April 29, 2024