Report: Jonas Valanciunas Is A Favorite In Important Pockets Of Lakers Locker Room

According to NBA reporter Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times, Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas is a known favorite in important pockets of the Los Angeles Lakers locker room.

Anthony Davis wants the Lakers to acquire a big man so he can play the power-forward spot. 

“Valanciunas, a known favorite in important pockets of the Lakers’ locker room, does offer post scoring and could be a boost for their second unit, though playing through a back-to-the-basket center isn’t close to being coach JJ Redick’s stated style,” Woike wrote. 

The Lakers won the 2020 championship with Davis at the 4 and JaVale McGee/Dwight Howard at the 5. 

LeBron James played the point-forward spot in 2020 and led the NBA in assists per game. 

“The Lakers have been actively exploring adding a big man, though it’s not being done recklessly, according to NBA executives,” Woike wrote. “Concerns about cost, fitting Redick’s preferred style of play and the ripples from moving Davis — namely playing James major minutes at small forward — are being weighed.”

The Lakers are 26-19 on the season. They are in fifth place in the Western Conference standings. 

Valanciunas is averaging 11.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Wizards this season while shooting 56.4% from the field, 28.0% from beyond the arc and 89.5% from the free-throw line. He’s making $9.9 million. 

Los Angeles already made one trade this season, sending D’Angelo Russell and Maxwell Lewis to the Brooklyn Nets for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton.

Both Davis and LeBron want the Lakers to make another trade before the NBA trade deadline, sources told Hoops Wire. 

“The desire inside the locker room for the Lakers to do something is real,” Woike wrote. “The Finney-Smith addition, scouts and executives believe, has improved the floor for the Lakers by addressing toughness, defensive and spot-up shooting issues. But holes on the roster remain. Lakers players are realistic about the number of needs, the lack of options and the expensive costs. Still, they know for the team to level up, front office creativity in a tight market will be crucial during the next week.”

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