The Pelicans and center Jonas Valanciunas have agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $30.1 million, agents Aaron Mintz, Mitch Nathan and Drew Morrison told Andrew Lopez of ESPN.
Valanciunas, 29, is 6-foot-11 and was acquired in an offseason trade with the Grizzlies. He averaged 17.1 points and 12.5 rebounds in 62 games last season, and is viewed as a long-term answer next to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram in New Orleans’ frontcourt.
“Because he had been on an expiring deal, Valanciunas was extension-eligible beyond the October 18 deadline that applied to certain other veterans,” explained Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors.
Valanciunas is set to make $14.4 million this season, so his deal will be receiving more than $44 million over the next three years thanks to the extension.
The Pelicans are pretty well set contract-wise, as guard Tomas Satoransky is their lone 2022 free agent, as relayed by Bobby Marks of ESPN.
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