WASHINGTON — Earlier than Jonas Valanciunas signed his three-year, $32 million cope with the Wizards — a free agent contract that felt virtually instantly like a future commerce piece — the bruising heart heard a little bit bit in regards to the Knicks’ curiosity.
“I don’t know how serious that was. My agent was handling,” Valanciunas advised The Put up. “I heard something from that side. But there’s a lot of X’s and O’s. Salary cap issues, this and that. Strategic stuff. Every team does what they think is the best for them.”
The Knicks, in fact, went the route of Karl-Anthony Cities, maintaining their wage cap as essentially beneath the second luxurious tax apron as attainable whereas they plotted the arrival of his large contract.
Now two months into the season, the maneuvering paid dividends for the Knicks — Cities is on an All-Star path — however there are nonetheless considerations about heart depth.
Mitchell Robinson stays out for causes the Knicks haven’t absolutely defined.
His process in Could was described as minor, however almost eight months later he hasn’t been cleared to dash, in accordance with the final replace from Thibodeau.
Robinson, who traveled with the Knicks to D.C., hasn’t spoken to the media for the reason that surgical procedure.
Treasured Achiuwa, a pure energy ahead, entered Monday towards the Wizards as the one frontcourt rotational reserve within the earlier 4 video games.
The circumstances have prompted hypothesis that the Knicks, who’re working with restricted property and suppleness after their offseason hauls, might be searching for a middle earlier than the February commerce deadline.
And maybe associated — Valanciunas, a 32-year-old former shopper of present Knicks president/ex-agent Leon Rose, has been recognized across the league as one of many gamers who will possible be obtainable.
Knicks this season. NBAE by way of Getty Pictures
It’s a product of the setting.
Valanciunas is a veteran on a rebuilding workforce that’s headed to the draft lottery.
He’s backing up a 19-year-old rookie, Alex Sarr, who’s being allowed to play by means of errors for the sake of improvement.
Valanciunas’ contract can retrieve property.
Different potential obtainable facilities on rebuilding groups embrace Nick Richards (Hornets), Robert Williams III (Blazers), Kelly Olynyk (Raptors) and Daniel Theis (Pelicans).
With the brand new tax apron restrictions, the Wizards are among the many few groups that may take again extra wage in a commerce (the Knicks can’t).
So dealing Robinson’s $14.3 million wage for Valanciunas’s $9.9 million theoretically works, though the Knicks would virtually definitely have to incorporate draft compensation.
They personal a number of future second-round picks however can solely deal one first-rounder.
Coincidentally, that initially belonged to the Wizards.
“What can happen in the future, maybe tomorrow, maybe even today, I don’t know,” Valanciunas mentioned about the opportunity of being dealt. “If it happens, it happens. It’s a young team still putting the pieces together. Everything can happen.”
Within the meantime, Valanciunas is conducting himself as a professional.
He’s performed each recreation this season and mentioned he understood the deal when he signed — “They wanted me, they showed some trust in me, so I’m happy here.”
“You’ve got to stay patient,” he added. “But we get better, we practice and the young guys drive me to get better, too. I feel the kick in my ass to practice and get better and work on my skills. So I’m taking advantage from that.”
The bearded Lithuanian has established himself as a top-shelf rebounder within the NBA who, by means of 13 NBA seasons, has logged 58 playoff appearances.
Defensively, he’s a robust presence within the paint however lacks the quickness/mobility to successfully defend pick-and-rolls.
Offensively, he developed an honest 3-pointer and mentioned he’s engaged on playmaking by means of “handling the ball up top, setting screens and shooting — not just from the 3-point line, but shot pops. Middies.”
Nonetheless, he understands his bread-and-butter and popularity.
He’s a bull beneath the basket.
“Well, that’s what I do,” Valanciunas smiled. “I’m just playing my game, doing what I do. And if people see that, great.”
