32-Year-Old Center Decides to Sign with the Wizards

During the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the New Orleans Pelicans were swept by the first-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder. Pelicans center Jonas Valančiūnas had two 19-point games, one in Game Two, and the other in Game Four. In Game One of that series, Valančiūnas grabbed 20 rebounds. The near seven-foot center just spent the last three seasons in New Orleans, and now as a free agent, he may be looking for a franchise that needs his efforts that will provide a comfortable deep playoff run. Now being 32 years old, Jonas is looking to hopefully end his career with one team he can call home, after spending the last 12 seasons on three different teams. Today, it was just reported that the big man just signed a three-year, $30 million deal with the Washington Wizards. 

Back in 2011, Valančiūnas was considered one of the top prospects and ended up being the fifth overall pick by the Toronto Raptors. After spending six and a half seasons in Toronto, the big man was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies along with two players, and a second-round pick in exchange for Marc Gasol, who ended up being part of the championship-winning 2019 Toronto team. The 32-year-old center was a part of the Grizzlies for two and a half years until he was traded again, this time to the New Orleans Pelicans. Since arriving in New Orleans, the team has been bounced out of the playoffs twice in the first round and even missed the playoffs during the 2022-2023 season. 

This past season, the 32-year-old center played in all 82 games for New Orleans. In about 24 minutes a game, he averaged close to 12 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a block a game. On December 13th, during a 144-122 win over the Washington Wizards, Valančiūnas dropped 16 points and pulled down 18 rebounds. With the Wizards, the big man will certainly have his opportunity to showcase his rebounding ability once again.