It’s been clear time and time again: the Lakers need another big man next to Anthony Davis. Luckily, a key Western Conference player is expected to be available: Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas.
NBA Free Agency: Should the Lakers Pursue Veteran Big Man?
Background
The 11-year center has spent the last three seasons in the Crescent City. Starting all 82 games this year, Valanciunas averaged 12.2 points (56% FG, 30% 3PT, 78% FT), 8.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.8 blocks per contest. In the first round against the OKC Thunder, JV put up 14.5 points and 11 rebounds on 52% shooting from the field and 82% from the free-throw line.
Valanciunas was a double-double machine for New Orleans, collecting 33 this season. One of his best games this year came against the Hornets on Dec. 15, scoring 29 points and pulling down 13 boards.
Despite his solid season, Valanciunas’s production dipped after the All Star break due to a decrease in minutes. In just 19 minutes per contest, JV averaged 9.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists on 52% shooting from the field. He spoke with NBA.com regarding the shift, reiterating his role as a “team player”:
“Whatever it takes. The big picture is winning. We didn’t do that this year enough. As I said to the coaching staff, I’m here to help. I’m here to do everything to win games.”
Still, as HoopsHype’s Mike Scotto noted, Valanciunas may no longer be the best fit on the Pelicans, leading other teams—especially contenders—to seek him out during the offseason.
The Case for Jonas Valanciunas
Compared to other bigs expected to hit the market, Valanciunas may be one of the Lakers’ best options if they are serious about getting help for Davis.
Even at 32 years old, Valanciunas has been able to hold his own. He has continued to command a presence in the paint on offense, attempting 87% of his shots there and making 61% of them. He also averaged a career-high 17.8 points per game just two years ago. Valanciunas has also gone toe-to-toe against star-studded centers, recording 22 points and eight rebounds against now three-time MVP Nikola Jokic on Nov. 17.
In terms of playing style, Valanciunas stood out in the post, scoring an average of 1.07 points per possession on 56% shooting. He has also done well in the pick-and-roll, able to drive and finish through contact with ease. The Lakers will need someone else next to AD providing pressure in the paint, and Valanciunas could be that guy. It would also benefit LA to have another body ready for rebounds. JV grabbed an average of 6.5 defensive boards per game.
Valanciunas would also plug several key holes for the Lakers. The purple and gold finished second in points in the paint (55.6 per game), and their bigs were ninth in that category (10.9). However, they were also dead last in second-chance points (10.5 per game), with their centers contributing an average of 1.9 points (23rd in the NBA). This season, Valanciunas scored an average of 7.6 points in the paint. He hardly scored any second-chance points himself (2.9 per game), but his ability to crash the glass would be vital for a team that struggled to create more offensive possessions.
The Last Word
Although AD continued to dominate in the middle, it’s become clear that the Lakers’ formula for success involves moving him to power forward and getting a quality center next to him. As it stands right now, Valanciunas is a good candidate for that position, even if he is one of the older veterans in the league. The team must prioritize frontcourt help in free agency, and Jonas Valanciunas should be near the top of their list.
