Report: Multiple Title Contenders Eyeing Valanciunas Trade

It's doubtful that longtime starting center Jonas Valanciunas had this in mind when he signed a three-year free agent contract with the Washington Wizards this past summer. For the first time in his 13-year career, he has not been a starter this season.

JV has only started two of the Wizards' 15 games (and the team has only won two of their 15 games), while his minutes have averaged right around the 20 per-game mark, down about five minutes from his career average.

It seems that the Wizards' plan all along in signing him has been to use him as a trade chip this season, and as we pass the Dec. 15th eligibility date for a trade, and get closer to the deadline in early February, he will be one of the "most likely players to be moved," says insider Evan Sidery.

The Forbes reporter says that multiple "title-contending teams" have their eye on JV.

Jonas Valanciunas is viewed as one of the most likely players to be moved, once newly signed free agents become trade-eligible on December 15th.

Various title-contending teams have begun to gauge the value on Valanciunas as his minutes continue to dwindle on the Wizards. pic.twitter.com/Bm9g2grfB7
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) November 25, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers have been noted on numerous occasions this season to be a prime suitor of Valanciunas, and he was even on LeBron James's list of players he wanted to see the Lakers go get during the summer.

The Boston Celtics, despite their great start to the season, could also probably use a boost in center depth, as Kristaps Porzingis has gone back to his injury-prone ways, and can't truly be counted on by the Celtics on a regular basis. He finally made his season debut for them this week.

The Miami Heat have also been mentioned as another possibility, as they'd like to move Bam Adebayo to the power forward spot more often.