Valanciunas brings physicality to Grizzlies
When Marc Gasol arrived in Memphis from Spain as a teenager, this was the extent of what he knew about his new city.
"Elvis, and that was it," Gasol said late last month before the Grizzlies' alltime points and rebounds leader was traded last week to the Toronto Raptors.
Gasol left as one of the city's most influential advocates.
Now, Memphis will have a chance to grow on another international center who is arriving in town with little knowledge of his new home.
"I like jazz now, right? And barbecue," said Jonas Valanciunas, who is expected to make his Grizzlies debut this week.
Valanciunas is the most high-profile player acquired in the deal that sent Gasol to Toronto. Valanciunas, a 7-foot Lithuanian, was a beloved figure in Toronto and a productive one, too.
His career averages of 11.8 points and 8.4 rebounds have held steady throughout his seven-year NBA career.
“I’m a physical guy," Valanciunas said. "I like contact. I like playing for my teammates. That’s my identity. I’m all about the team. No personal stuff. It’s a team sport. You play five guys on the court, and you’ve got to play all together.”
Valanciunas had not been cleared by Monday afternoon to play in Tuesday night's Grizzlies home game against the Spurs (7 p.m., Fox Sports Southeast) as he awaited immigration clearance.
But once he's on the court, Grizzlies fans can expect to see a tenacious rebounder with a vivacious personality.
Notable: Don't expect Valanciunas to start right away. He hasn't played since Dec. 12 because of a left thumb injury that required surgery. But he started 444 of 470 career games with Toronto.
What general manager Chris Wallace sees: "Specifically in Valanciunas, we got a player that is one of the best in the league at his respective position," Wallace said. "Interesting reading the reports from the Toronto papers, they feel the same way about him up there as we feel about Marc (Gasol) down here, which is great to know. A guy that’s very rugged, a competitor, tremendous intensity. So he’s someone that we like a great deal."
What he's making: Valanciunas is owed $16.5 million this season and has a $17.6 million player option for next year. That makes him the team's third-highest paid player behind Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons. By comparison, Gasol is making $24.1 million this season with a player option for $25.6 million next year.
How he views Jaren Jackson Jr.: “He’s a very talented young kid," Valanciunas said. "He’s proved that he’s a great player already."
Quotable: “Young organization. We have a good group of guys, a lot of young guys, a lot of new guys," Valanciunas said. "So our goal is to win games, win as much as we can. There are twentysomething games left in the regular season. We’ve got to try to win as much as we can and get to the eight spot, at least.”
Analysis: Valanciunas might have insulted some Memphians by believing that jazz – and not the blues – is the city's claim to musical fame. But cut him some slack. Even the beloved Gasol admitted that Elvis was all he knew of Memphis upon moving here. With time, Valanciunas will become a fan-favorite with his physical style.
His unselfish mind-set and rebounding prowess give him the chance to be an excellent complementary piece to Jackson in the front court.
Ultimately, the season's final two months will be a trial window for Valanciunas to gauge his fit with the Grizzlies and determine whether he wants to exercise a player option that would keep him here next season.
Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at david.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Davidwcobb.