New Orleans Center Jonas Valanciunas A 'Pillar' Of The Pelicans Team
New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans have an interesting decision this summer regarding starting center Jonas Valanciunas. He will be an unrestricted free agent after the year when his current two-year, $30 million contract extension he signed in 2021 expires. Rumors circulated last summer the Pelicans were willing to trade his expiring deal to defensively upgrade the position. Despite whatever outside noise circulated regarding Jonas, his consistent professionalism on and off the court isn't missed by his teammates and coaches.
To say Jonas has been an Iron Man for the Pelicans is an understatement. Since joining the Pelicans in 2021, Jonas has played in 214 of the possible 225 games played thus far. While his field goal attempts, points, and rebounds have decreased every year since he joined New Orleans, his purpose for playing basketball has not. "I'm just here to do my job," Valanciunas told reporters "I don't look at more touches, more minutes, It's a team sport. Everyone's got to do their job." Valanciunas' "job" changes on a game-by-game basis at times.
Mar 1, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) drives to the basket against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
On Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers, Jonas played just seven minutes and went scoreless after one shot attempt. Coach Green said he implemented a smaller lineup to keep pace with the fast-paced Pacers offense. Fast forward two nights later against the same team, and Valanciunas set an early tone for the Pelicans. Jonas matched his minute total from the previous game in the first quarter alone, scoring nine points and grabbing five rebounds. After the game, guard CJ McCollum gave Valanciunas a shout-out in the locker room for being a professional.
Coach Green took it a step further in this postgame presser. "I really have to commend Jonas. His professionalism all season long has been incredible," Green told reporters. "He's been one of the pillars of our team, shows up every day, works his tail off, and is a pleasure to have the opportunity to see his growth while coaching."
The 31-year-old veteran has gone through production lulls with playing time and shot attempts most of the season. Over the past ten games, Valanciunas has attempted six shots or less six times and played less than twenty minutes in three of those contests. Regardless, Valanciunas has made a commitment to the team and himself to produce when his number is called.
During the offseason, Valanciunas expressed publicly his desire to remain in New Orleans and work on an extension. "I would like to stay and extend my contract," Valanciunas said this past summer. "Obviously, during the season, you try to help the team as much as possible, but when the summer comes, you try to take care of your own things, how to extend the contract and stuff."
A contract extension between the Pelicans and Valanciunas never materialized, leaving Jonas' future in New Orleans in doubt after this year. The Pelicans have extension talks with Brandon Ingram on the horizon, as well as talks with Trey Murphy III, who will be extension-eligible this offseason. Jonas could return on a team-friendly contract to extend his stay with the Pelicans. Those discussions will be held after the season. For now, Valanciunas are working together to make New Orleans a winner.
