If you believe the NBA rumor mill, and a lot of people seem to do just that, then you might want to start thinking about Jonas Valanciunas‘ time with the Wizards.
Basically, it’s not expected to last all that long.
Per Evan Sidery of Forbes, Valanciunas should be considered “a trade target for contending teams in need of a center.” Already, there are a few of those, and Valanciunas has already been linked to (who else?) the Lakers.
Anyway, several other outlets have reported the same on Valanciunas being available ahead of the February trade deadline.
With Washington seemingly in rebuild mode, the veteran center’s 21 minutes per game seem like a signal that his time in D.C. indeed could be short-lived.
Despite the reduced playing time, Valanciunas is still averaging a solid 12.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game — numbers that will definitely attract the attention of contending teams looking to shore up their frontcourt. Besides the Lakers, teams like the Bucks or Nuggets could use a reliable, physical presence in the paint, and Valanciunas fits that mold.
While Valanciunas’ traditional game may not fit every offense, his experience and production in limited minutes are undeniable. And with his ability to dominate the glass and score in the post, there are certainly teams that could benefit from his services.
The Wizards and their rebuilding status make it all the more likely that Valanciunas will be dealt sooner rather than later. So we can all expect his name to keep popping up in trade rumors as the deadline approaches.
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