Kofi Inkoom
Seasoned NBA center Jonas Valanciunas is entering the summer after his 12th season, with reports suggesting that the Pelicans are likely to move him.
During this season, he averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, while maintaining a shooting percentage of 55.9% from the field and 30.8% from three-point range over 82 games.
According to Bovada, the Sacramento Kings are the top contenders to sign Valanciunas if he departs from New Orleans. The Los Angeles Clippers and Charlotte Hornets are also in close pursuit. The betting odds for Valanciunas joining these teams are:
– Sacramento Kings: +400
– Los Angeles Clippers: +500
– Charlotte Hornets: +550
– Utah Jazz: +550
– Chicago Bulls: +550
– Washington Wizards: +650
– Oklahoma City Thunder: +650
– Brooklyn Nets: +750
– New York Knicks: +900
– Philadelphia 76ers: +900
– Los Angeles Lakers: +900
– Indiana Pacers: +1200
– Memphis Grizzlies: +1600
– Detroit Pistons: +2000
– Golden State Warriors: +2200
– Phoenix Suns: +2500
– Toronto Raptors: +2800
The Sacramento Kings are the favorites to win the Jonas Valanciunas sweepstakes, per @BovadaOfficial
Sacramento Kings: +400
Los Angeles Clippers: +500
Charlotte Hornets: +550
Utah Jazz: +550
Chicago Bulls: +550
Washington Wizards: +650
Oklahoma City Thunder: +650
Brooklyn Nets:… pic.twitter.com/BNFLEZUohC— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 18, 2024
Valanciunas, the fifth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, has also played for the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors.
Throughout his career, he has averaged 13.4 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game, with a 56.1% shooting rate from the field and 34.8% from three-point range across 856 regular-season games. He has also participated in 58 playoff games, starting in 51 of them.
The Sacramento Kings, who defeated Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in their first play-in tournament game but lost to the Pelicans in the second, made it to the NBA playoffs in 2023 for the first time since 2006.
Bovada’s confidence in Valanciunas joining Sacramento likely stems from his relationship with Domantas Sabonis, another Lithuanian player. Oddsmakers often have insights that go beyond public rumors when predicting free agency moves and trades.
For the Clippers and Hornets, acquiring Valanciunas would bolster their rosters for the upcoming season. Known for his rebounding ability, Valanciunas, at 6’11”, offers a strong presence on the floor and has developed a reliable three-point shot, hitting 37.9% from beyond the arc this season.
His skills would blend well with the Clippers’ lineup, probably complementing the playing style of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook.