Jonas Valanciunas was a name who enjoyed his fair share of links to the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 free agency period. Nothing came of it.
The veteran big man signed a three-year, $30.3 million deal with the Washington Wizards instead. It felt like an odd decision at the time considering the point in which the Wizards were with their rebuild.
Valanciunas was ultimately used as a trade chip at the 2025 NBA trade deadline. The bruising big man was sent to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Sidy Cissoko and a couple of second-round picks.
With many anticipating the Kings readying themselves for a rebuild of their own, Valanciunas is expected to be available in the 2025 offseason. The Lakers should have an opportunity to get their guy, if they still feel the union is beneficial for both sides.
Valanciunas fills backup big man role immediately for the Lakers
In a recent insider report, Michael Scotto speculated that at least one of the Kings' stars may be on their way out of Sacramento either this offseason or leading up to the NBA trade deadline. Alongside that anticipated decision, Valanciunas was another name worth monitoring for the NBA insider.
"Similarly, backup center Jonas Valanciunas is owed $10.40 million this season, and his $10 million salary for the 2026-27 season is non-guaranteed," Scotto wrote. "Thus, [DeMar] DeRozan and Valanciunas are considered movable salaries."
The man from HoopsHype is right on the money with how easy it would be to package Valanciunas away in a deal. The question would revolve around exactly how much the Kings want for the backup big man.
Valanciunas averaged 10.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game in 2024-25. The 13-year veteran has just enough juice in the tank to deserve a look.
However, the major road block to a Valanciunas trade for the Lakers is tough for one specific reason. That would be the timing of the deal.
Ideally, a move for the Kings center is not costing more than an expiring contract and the Lakers' 2025 second-round pick. That deal would need to take place at the upcoming NBA Draft.
If the Lakers feel comfortable knowing they can secure a comparable backup, perhaps even at a discounted price, to Valanciunas in free agency, there is little reason to venture down this path. However, if the confidence levels in landing one are not high, this maneuver has legs to stand on.
The Lakers are low enough on assets that even a second-round pick and expiring contract would still be a tough blow. This decision is certainly worth exploring, but ultimately needs to be a calculated one.