Report: Grizzlies shore up deal with center
Jonas Valanciunas told Lithuanian media in May he did not want to be a tourist in the NBA.
He backed up the assertion in June by opting out of the final year of his contract in search of a long-term deal in Memphis. Now, it appears he has found one. Valanciunas is expected to return to the Grizzlies on a three-year, $45 million deal, ESPN reported Sunday.
Brought to Memphis in the Marc Gasol trade at the 2019 trade deadline, Valanciunas provided the team a bruising presence in the paint during the final two months of the 2018-19 season.
He averaged 19.9 points and 10.7 rebounds in 19 games with the team after the trade deadline but declined a $17.6 million player option for the final year of his contract.
Now it's clear why. By signing a three-year contract with Memphis, Valanciunas will gain long-term financial security.
The Grizzlies cannot officially announce the deal until July 6.
Re-signing Jonas Valanciunas makes sense
Detractors might suggest that Memphis is overpaying for an old-school center when it has a modern, promising potential center in Jaren Jackson Jr. on the roster.
But retaining Valanciunas on a threeyear deal will help lessen one major statistical concern about fielding a viable roster next season. The Grizzlies finished the 2018-19 season 29th in total rebounds and 20th in adjusted rebound percentage. Rebounding was Jackson’s most obvious statistical deficiency as a rookie. But it's one of Valanciunas’ biggest strengths.
The 7-footer averaged 10 or more rebounds in six of his final seven games this season.
It's possible Jackson, who turns 20 in September, ultimately will transition to center during his career.
But keeping Valanciunas for three years will not interfere with that possibility, and it will provide Jackson with protection as he physically matures in the league. Need someone to compete with Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid or Enes Kanter for rebounds? Valanciunas can handle the dirty work.
Zach Kleiman, the Grizzlies executive vice president of basketball operations, also praised Valanciunas recently for what he brought to the team's offense after the trade deadline.
"We have a strong appreciation for how Jonas carries himself, the example that he sets," Kleiman said at coach Taylor Jenkins' introductory press conference in June. "Certainly, he’s a big-time bucket-getter who can bully guys around the rim."
Kleiman also complimented Valanciunas for his screen setting and the spacing he helped create for a Grizzlies offense that began to flourish late in the season.
Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at david.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Davidwcobb.