Jonas Valanciunas Set To Stay In New Orleans
1 year agoNew Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas has been in trade rumors all summer, with the team reportedly looking to move on from him due to his defensive shortcomings, but it now appears that there won't be a break-up after all. The Lithuanian giant will continue as the Pelicans' starting center, writes William Guillory of The Athletic in his mailbag column. According to Guillory, New Orleans was looking to replace Valanciunas with Cleveland's Jarrett Allen and was also interested in Detroit's Isaiah Stewart, but no deal was reached. Valanciunas himself was recently quoted saying he wants to remain in New Orleans. The 31-year-old has spent two seasons with the Pelicans, averaging 15.9 points and 10.8 rebounds. He starts the final season of his two-year, $30.1 million deal in 2023-24.
Source: William Guillory
Source: William Guillory