2019 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Jonas Valanciunas: 3 years, $45 million (Memphis Grizzlies)
Once free agency opens at 6 PM ET, center Jonas Valanciunas is expected to commit to a three-year, $45M contract to return to the Memphis Grizzlies, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019
This is a perfectly fair deal for both Jonas Valanciunas and the Memphis Grizzlies. While Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke represent the future of the franchise, they’re still youngsters who will need time to grow together.
In the meantime, the Grizz need established NBA players who can help them take those steps forward without hindering their minutes or opportunities. JV represents the happy balance between those two needs, especially with how well he played in his 19 games in Memphis last year.
Averaging 19.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 blocks per game on 54.5 percent shooting in that stint, Valanciunas was a beast inside. He’s never averaged 30 minutes per game in a single season, but the Grizzlies had the room for this deal and wanted to keep him around. Ultimately, it comes at a fair price on a reasonable three-year extension that rewards him for sticking it out through a youth movement, while also avoiding being tied down to him for too long.
Grade: B