Details on Wizards’ asking price for Jonas Valanciunas

The Wizards will consider trade center Jonas Valanciunas ahead of the February 6 deadline, but will not simply sell him to the highest bidder, according to Josh Robbins and David Aldridge of The Athletic.

As Robbins and Aldridge explain, the Wizards will seek the right kind of offer for Valanciunas, meaning one that could “significantly” move their rebuild forward. In other words, a late second round or two may not move the needle sufficiently.

The Wizards’ asking price will also depend on what kind of contract(s) they have to take back in exchange for Valanciunas, The Athletic’s duo say. If a trade partner wants to include a high-paid player on a multi-year deal (ie, a negative asset), Washington will likely ask for a first-round pick. On the other hand, if that team offers a more advantageous short-term contract, then a couple of early second-round picks could be enough for the Wizards to make a move.

I’m a little skeptical that Valanciunas will have a lot of value on the trade market. The former no. 5 overall pick is a talented interior scorer and rebounder who has the size to match up with the NBA’s biggest centers, but he doesn’t stretch the floor or protect the rim particularly well, and he isn’t agile enough to be reliable. switch to faster shields and forwards.

Additionally, while Valanciunas’ contract isn’t an albatross, it’s not exactly a bargain either — the 32-year-old has a $9.9 million cap hit this season and is owed a $10.4 million guaranteed salary in 2025/26 . His $10MM salary for 2026/27 is non-guaranteed.

A league source who spoke with Robbins and Aldridge believes a pair of second-round picks (not necessarily early ones) will be the best the Wizards will be able to do in a trade involving the Lithuanian big man.

Of course, this front office showed a year ago when it kept the point guard Tyus Jones through the trade deadline that it’s willing to hang on to a veteran on a lottery-bound team if it doesn’t get an offer it likes. Jones ended up leaving as a free agent during the 2024 offseason, whereas the Wizards would have additional chances to move Valanciunas in future transaction windows.

Valanciunas was signed by the Wizards to serve as a leader and mentor to the team’s young players and to help protect the rookie Alex Sarr from more physical matchups, according to Robbins and Aldridge. He has played that role well, albeit in a limited capacity – his 19.8 minutes per fight represents a career low. He has averaged 11.6 points and 8.1 rebounds across 38 outings (eight starts).

“It’s good for my body” Valanciunas said with a laugh when asked about his modest workload. “You always have to look at the positives, too, you know? It’s good for my body and I’m not tired. I’m ready to go. Whenever coach calls my number, I’m here to do whatever. I signed up for that.”

Valanciunas joked that he plans to turn off his phone as the trade deadline approaches, adding that he knows the possibility of being traded is part of the business and out of his hands.

“I just come to work every day,” he said. “Every game I play 100 percent. That’s all I can do. That’s all I do. It’s over me. I can’t control it.”

The Lakers have long been cited as a potential suitor for Valanciunas. The Knicks were also said to have interest in him over the summer, though it’s unclear if he’s still on New York’s radar.