Multiple reports have revealed that the New Orleans Pelicans have finalized the contract extension of center Jonas Valanciunas, who arrived at the team during the 2020 offseason. Valanciunas’ two-year extension is worth $30.1 million and will see him remain with the team until the end of the 2022-23 NBA season.
Securing Valanciunas’ services for the next two seasons was a priority for the Pelicans, with the Lithuanian averaging 17.1 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 62 games for the Memphis Grizzlies last season. This is a vast improvement on Valanciunas’ overall career averages of 12.9 points per game, 9.2 rebounds, and one assist during his 10 seasons split between the Grizzlies and the Toronto Raptors.
Before signing his contract extension, Valanciunas was set to become an unrestricted free agent next season. His inclusion in New Orleans’ squad this season will provide a massive boost to the New Orleans’ offense, with All-Star Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson playing alongside him.
The 28-year-old center was traded to the Pelicans in August in exchange for veteran Steven Adams and others; a move that helped free up New Orleans’ salary cup so that they could secure the signature of Devonte Graham from the Charlotte Hornets.
