Why the Wizards Should Not Trade Jonas Valančiūnas
We are nearing the mid-way point of the NBA season, and decisions must be made. The Washington Wizards currently have the worst record in the league at 6-32. They are ranked 30th in the league in points allowed per game, 20th in assists per game, 17th in rebounds per game, and 25th in points per game. The Wizards need to strengthen their frontcourt, create consistency in games, and collect draft assets. Recently, rumors have been swirling around Jonas Valančiūnas being offered up as the trade deadline approaches on February 6th. However, the decision to possibly trade Valančiūnas would not be a smart move for the Wizards.
The Washington Wizards are committed to the role of rebuilding their team. However, with the plans of a rebuild you still need to have veteran experience to anchor your team. Valančiūnas brings that to the Wizards as he reaches his 13th season in the NBA. He is currently averaging just above 11 points and eight rebounds. The Wizards are a young team, with 13 of their 18-man roster being 25 or younger. Any sports fan or athlete knows that veterans are needed to have a successful team. Then, projected offers for Valančiūnas will not bring the Wizards much.
According to authors Josh Robbins and David Aldridge from The Athletic, any team that is interested in Valančiūnas is in win-now mode. This means that it would be highly unlikely that a team would trade any player of value. Thus, it projected that the Wizards would have to settle for second-round picks in exchange for Valančiūnas. This would make the Wizards even younger than they already are while losing some of their size. The Washington Wizards have been allowing an average of 50 points in the paint per game this season. This ranks them 27th in the NBA, proving that they are struggling at defending the paint. The name Mitchell Robinson from the New York Knicks has been mentioned as a replacement but has been plagued by injuries over the past two years. The options appear to be slim for the Wizards and I believe that they should relax on trading Valančiūnas as they are likely to be within the first five picks of the 2025 NBA Draft.
In conclusion, as the Washington Wizards approach the midpoint of the NBA season with a daunting record, the team must make strategic decisions. While rebuilding is essential, trading a valuable veteran like Jonas Valančiūnas would be unwise given the current circumstances. His experience and consistent performance provide a necessary anchor for the young roster. Furthermore, the potential returns for Valančiūnas are not promising enough to justify weakening the team's defensive frontcourt. With limited attractive trade options available and a high draft pick on the horizon, the Wizards should prioritize maintaining their veteran presence while focusing on the draft to bolster their future success.
