New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas. Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

12-year NBA veteran expected to hit free-agent market this summer

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 5/10/24

Jonas Valanciunas is heading into unrestricted free agency. The 12-year NBA veteran has spent the past three seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans. During his tenure with the franchise, he's averaged 14.6 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists while shooting 58.8% from two-point range and 34.1% from the perimeter.

Valanciunas has just turned 32. The Pelicans are rumored to be looking at re-tooling around Zion Williamson. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Pelicans front office could let their starting big man leave in free agency this summer.

"There’s a sense Jonas Valanciunas won’t return as a Pelican this offseason in free agency, I’m told," Scotto wrote. "Valanciunas essentially split center minutes with Larry Nance Jr. this season and was benched often to close games. When Zion is healthy and playing, Valanciunas occupies the paint and clogs driving lanes for Zion. While he’s still a double-double threat, he’s not an ideal fit for this roster, and his near double-double production will likely be more valued by other teams on the unrestricted free-agent market."

Reporting on Pelicans star Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram trade possibilities, CJ McCollum’s future, free agency for Jonas Valanciunas, a possible Trey Murphy extension, Jose Alvarado, Naji Marshall, and more with @WillGuillory on the @hoopshype podcast. https://t.co/kdPfKK6WBv
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) May 10, 2024

To get the best out of Williamson, New Orleans will need a floor-spacing big who can impact the game on the perimeter. Or at least a big man who's mobile enough to move around the three-point line as a screener and short-roll creator. Valanciunas can hit the three but is not mobile. Instead, he is a hulking figure who commands respect in the paint.

While it will be interesting to see how New Orleans pivots after losing Valanciunas, the move should allow them to play more five-out on offense, giving Williamson the spacing and room he needs to drive the lane and pressure the rim.

Valanciunas will undoubtedly have multiple interested suitors in free agency. However, the veteran big man may need to accept that his time as a starter is ending and that he could be highly impactful as a veteran contributor off the bench.

Still, losing Valanciunas for nothing is a bold strategy. He has been a valuable member of the team's rotation. If you want to take a team from being on the fringes to being a contender, being bold is a prerequisite.

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