Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas had his name pop up in trade rumors multiple times this offseason. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, New Orleans explored the possibility of acquiring a more switchable center, inquiring on players like Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen and Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart. But with training camps just a few weeks away, Valanciunas remains on the roster.
Speaking to Fischer, Valanciunas expressed interest in staying in New Orleans beyond his current deal. And head of basketball operations David Griffin and head coach Willie Green were in Manila on Tuesday to watch the veteran big man play for Lithuania against Montenegro, tweets Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com (Griffin and Green will also visit with Team USA’s Brandon Ingram during their trip, Fischer notes).
But with lucrative new contracts for young frontcourt players like Zion Williamson and Herbert Jones on the team’s books beginning this season, extending Valanciunas at a rate anywhere near his current $15.4MM salary might be a long shot, Fischer writes.
If the 31-year-old doesn’t sign an extension with the Pelicans, he’ll likely remain a trade candidate throughout the 2023/24 season, since he’s on an expiring contract. However, he tells Fischer he’s not bothered by the fact that his future is uncertain.
“You can’t be safe all the time and sitting and know where you’re going to be the next day,” Valanciunas said. “You have to expect everything. There’s no hard feelings. Trades happen. It’s not like an unusual thing.”
Here are a few more highlights from Valanciunas’ conversation with Fischer:
On his attempts to develop a three-point shot:
“I don’t want to be stretching out. I want to be a down-low player. My main game is going to be in the paint, always. Set screens, roll hard. Do damage inside on the low post. But when they’re plugging the paint, when they’re rotating, when they’re leaving you alone, being able to knock down a three-point shot, this is what I’m still working on.”
On how good Williamson can be when he’s healthy:
“He has the skill set and the first step, which I feel bad for people who’s guarding him. It’s unbelievable things. When you’re just watching him play, you feel like, ‘Wow, what the f–k is going on?’ His power, his highlights, talk for himself.”
On his post-retirement plans:
“I want to have a feel of basketball, no matter what. Playing, doing some other jobs. Coaching, front office. No matter what, I want to be connected to basketball. So that’s what my next step is gonna be.”
With Zion being such a paint presence they kinda need an out and out shooter. Ingram is a mid range guy. CJ is a ball handler that gets his in all sorts of ways. Herb won’t ever have much of a bag he’s a defensive beast. Trey is a shooter and I really like his game but I don’t think he gets enough reps. Dyson Daniel’s is a solid young prospect too but he needs floor spacers.
Karl Anthony-Towns makes a load of sense if they really wanted to upgrade at centre. He opens the lane up for Zion and Ingram. He can have a solid 2 man, pick and play game with CJ and from that you get open cutters and easier points aswell.
Allen just clogs the paint even more, and is asking price would be insanely expensive. Isiah Stewart would’ve been solid but he just resigned so that’s done. Go explore KAT.
Minny needs a point guard go replace Conley and go alongside ANT. They have Gobert and McDaniels so could do with another forward, and then just depth and picks to replace what they’ve lost. KAT leaving gives more minutes for Naz Reid aswell it would be great.
KAT for Big V (possibly to a third team), Dyson Daniel’s, Larry Nance, 2 first round picks, 2 pick swaps and 2 second round picks.
Pelicans
CJ Trey Ingram Zion KAT
Alvarado Hawkins Marshall Herb Hernagomez??
Minny
Conley ANT Anderson McDaniels Gobert
Daniel’s Milton/NAW Brown Jr Nance Reid
Plus you’ve got Big V to flip for more draft capital or players. Evan Fouriner coming from NY would make sense linking up with Gobert in some kind of three team deal. He’d also provide Daniel’s with a good experienced head to play with in the second unit.
Minny I think would have a better team aswell as have something to look forward to in the future now with some picks. Whereas NOLA would be a way stronger side. Zion and KAT would need to improve defensively together offensively teams would have a tough time matching up with them.
Zion has hardly ever played. His only presence is in the strip clubs and the rehab room
I’m far from the biggest Zion fan so I can hardly disagree but when he does play he’s been and beast and if your the GM or something moving forward you have to think about him as if he’s fit and playing otherwise what’s the point..
Kat trying to guard in space makes JV look like Gary Payton. I hear you on the floor stretching but you’d lose so much on the other end of the floor.