There will be a fair number of teams interested in the Washington Wizards center, but I’d expect to see him in Washington until close to the trade deadline.
On Dec. 15, 2024, a number of NBA players who signed contracts became trade eligible including Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas, who is on the first year of a three-year contract worth about $30 million. Given that Valanciunas is one of the better centers in the NBA and the Wizards are the worst team, he is rumored to be a player whom many, if not most, around the league, believe will be traded before the trade deadline on Feb. 6, 2025 at 3 p.m. ET.
With Valanciunas now technically blue to be traded, the Los Angeles Lakers are the team that are leading contenders to get him per reports including Bleacher Report. Part of that reason is because franchise player LeBron James was reportedly willing to re-sign with the Lakers if they could sign an impact player. Lakers head coach J.J. Redick and forward Anthony Davis are also on board to see another center like Valanciunas on the roster.
Do I expect to see Valanciunas on another team, like the Lakers later this season? Sure. But I expect other teams to make offers to General Manager Will Dawkins as well. Therefore, I think we’ll see Valanciunas in Washington until close to Feb. 6.
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