Warriors, Knicks Among Teams Interested in Trading For Star Big Man

Despite signing a three-year contract with the Washington Wizards this offseason, it appears that big man Jonas Valančiūnas could be on the move once eligible this year.

According to Sean Deveney of Heavy.com, there is an expectation that the Wizards will look to trade the big man starting in December.

“The Wizards wisely scooped him up on a three-year, $30 million contract to open free agency,” Deveney wrote. “The expectation is that Washington will begin looking for a deal for Valanciunas in December, when he becomes eligible to be traded. Expect competition, though.”

Washington landed Valančiūnas on a very team-friendly deal, giving them options down the line to use him in a trade. Most NBA teams are looking for solid big men so there could end up being a bidding war to land Valančiūnas.

Among those teams that will likely be interested in Valančiūnas are the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Golden State Warriors.

“The Knicks, we’ll see how their center spot develops,” one NBA exec told Heavy Sports last month, adding the Lakers as a contender for his services. “The Warriors, if the (Lauri) Markkanen thing does not work out.”

Last season, Valančiūnas averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while with the New Orleans Pelicans. He shot 55.9 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from the 3-point line, which was the lowest total from him since the 2018-19 season.

The Lakers had been connected to Valančiūnas before he landed in Washington so they could try to acquire him again. Los Angeles has been looking to upgrade the front court around star Anthony Davis and Valančiūnas could be the perfect partner for him.

The Lakers may have the expiring contract of point guard D’Angelo Russell to part with. Washington could like the idea of taking on Russell for the last part of the season along with picks and the Lakers could net themselves a true center.

Both the Knicks and Warriors could use Valančiūnas as well. Golden State needs more size along the front court and Valančiūnas would easily provie that.

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The Knicks lost center Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency so replacing him with Valančiūnas could help bolster their chances in the tough Eastern Conference. New York was the No. 2 seed in the East last season and they want to go even further in the postseason this year.

Valančiūnas will start the year with Washington but in all likelihood, he will be on another team by the time the trade deadline has passed.

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