There hasn’t been a lot for Washington Wizards fans to be excited about in recent seasons. They have missed the postseason in three straight years and haven’t won a playoff series since 2017.
That playoff drought is likely to extend, as the team is embarking on a rebuild. Those intentions were signaled last offseason when Bradley Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns.
This offseason, the team sold off even more pieces. One of their key building blocks, Deni Avdija, was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. Trade rumors swirl around their leading scorer, Kyle Kuzma.
However, it wasn’t all bad for the Washington Wizards this offseason. One of the moves they made, signing veteran center Jonas Valanciunas, was praised by NBA analyst Bobby Marks of ESPN.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jonas Valanciunas, NBA Free Agency, Washington Wizards Updates
The two sides agreed to a three-year, $30.3 million deal, the last year of which is non-guaranteed. It was a move that left some people scratching their heads, but there is a lot of value in the deal Valanciunas signed.
As Marks pointed out, his contract is a fraction of the cost that the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets paid Isaiah Hartenstein and Nic Claxton. Hartenstein agreed to a three-year, $87 million deal, while Claxton signed a four-year, $100 deal.
Ranked by many outlets as the No. 3 center available this offseason, landing Valanciunas for $30.3 million, with the final season non-guaranteed, is a win for the Washington Wizards.
“Valanciunas played all 82 games last season with the New Orleans Pelicans and ranked in the top 10 in total second-chance points in each of the past five seasons. In 2023-24, the Wizards ranked last in second-chance points per game allowed and 29th in paint points per game allowed,” Marks wrote.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jonas Valanciunas, NBA Free Agency, Washington Wizards Updates
As Marks notes, Valanciunas is a major upgrade for the Washington Wizards in some statistics. His strengths last season with the New Orleans Pelicans filled major voids the team had.
Valanciunas isn’t going to turn the Washington Wizards into instant contenders, but his presence will improve them on the court. A seasoned veteran, he is someone rookie Alex Sarr, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, can lean on as well.
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