Wizards to sign veteran center to three-year contract

Jonas Valanciunas.

The Wizards have found a new starting center, having agreed to terms with Jonas Valanciunas on a three-year, $30M contract, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (X link).

According to Josh Robbins of The Athletic, it’s a straight three-year deal, with no player or team option (X link).

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports linked Valanciunas to the rebuilding Wizards just before free agency opened. The Lakers were reportedly among the other suitors for the 32-year-old.

As cap expert Yossi Gozlan notes, Washington has a couple of options to complete the move. The most straightforward way would be to use the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. However, the Wizards also have a trade exception that could be used to acquire Valanciunas via sign-and-trade, which could help the Pelicans — Valanciunas’ former club — find a starting center to replace the veteran big man if the deal is expanded. Either scenario would see the Wizards hard-capped at the first tax apron.

One of the NBA’s best rebounders on a per-minute basis, Valanciunas is a throwback center who primarily operates out of the low post, relying on brawn and strength rather than agility and athleticism. He has been quite durable over the course of his 12-year career, including playing all 82 games for New Orleans in 2023-24.

Overall, Valanciunas averaged 12.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG and 2.1 APG on .559/.308/.785 shooting in 23.5 MPG last season.

While he has his limitations, primarily on defense, Valanciunas will provide veteran leadership, professionalism, toughness, and production in the middle for a young Wizards team.

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