According to Andrew Lopez of ESPN, Jonas Valanciunas agreed to a two-year, $30.1 million contract extension with the New Orleans Pelicans just hours before the team’s regular-season opening in 2021-22.
Valanciunas was acquired by the New Orleans Pelicans this summer when they traded Steven Adams and the 10th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft to the Memphis Grizzlies for Valanciunas and the 17th pick. After this season, he was set to become a restricted free agency, but the contract extension would keep him in New Orleans until 2023-24. This is also the second year in a row that the Pelicans have traded for a pending free agent center (Adams in 2020) and then extended him before the regular season begins.
In contrast to Adams’ extension, this appears to be a sound team-building decision. Valanciunas is a far superior player, and at 29 years old, he’s still in his prime, giving New Orleans a solid interior scorer to complement Zion Williamson, which they’ve lacked in recent seasons. While someone who can create for himself, provide adequate drop coverage defensively in pick-and-rolls, and own the glass is probably the ideal complement alongside Zion, someone who can create for himself, provide adequate drop coverage defensively in pick-and-rolls, and own the glass is also quite beneficial.
Valanciunas, who averaged 17.1 points on 63.6 percent true shooting last season, gives Brandon Ingram and Devonte’ Graham a viable pick-and-roll partner and can help buoy non-Zion minutes. He fits rather well on this team and now, he’ll be around for at least three years.
