During an interview with Kestas Rimkus of 24sek.lt, NBA big man Jonas Valanciunas said he would like to remain with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Valanciunas has one year left on his contract. He will make $15.4 million next season.
“I would like to stay and extend my contract,” Valanciunas said. “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.”
Valanciunas averaged 14.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists this season while shooting 54.7% from the field, 34.9% from beyond the arc and 82.6% from the free-throw line. The 31-year-old recorded 43 double-doubles in 79 starts.
Despite putting up good numbers, though, Valanciunas wasn’t able to help the Pelicans make the playoffs. New Orleans won only 42 games and lost the 9-10 play-in game at home to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“We had some talks with [the team]. I think this summer won’t be easy for them [team executives] because they will have to make a few key decisions,” Valanciunas said. “Our season didn’t go as planned, so there will definitely be changes.”
The Pelicans acquired Valanciunas from the Memphis Grizzlies in August 2021. The center signed a two-year, $30.4 million extension with New Orleans in October 2021. Valanciunas is averaging 15.9 points and 10.8 rebounds in 153 games with the Pelicans.
New Orleans struggled this season mostly because star forward Zion Williamson only played in 29 games. The All-Star hasn’t been able to stay healthy since getting drafted by the Pelicans in 2019. Zion has only played in 114 NBA games.
Williamson signed a five-year, $194.3 million designated rookie contract extension with the Pelicans in July 2022. The North Carolina native has career averages of 25.8 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
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