Beale Street Bears
Fansided

NBA Free Agency: Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr, Ja Morant Recruit Jonas Valanciunas

By Jack Donlon

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 25: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 25, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 25: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 25, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

NBA Free Agency does not start until June 30th, but that is not stopping Jaren Jackson Jr and Ja Morant from recruiting Jonas Valanciunas for a return to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Earlier this summer, Jonas Valanciunas declined his $17.6 million player option for next season, making him an unrestricted free agent. According to reports from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Memphis Grizzlies‘ incumbent starting center is expected to prioritize re-signing with Memphis, ostensibly to pursue the security of a multi-year contract in NBA Free Agency.

Valanciunas, seen by many to be the top free agent priority for the Grizzlies this offseason, received a little extra motivation to re-sign this week from some of his younger teammates.

More from Beale Street Bears

Earlier on Wednesday, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant took to Instagram in a public recruiting foray aimed at the big Lithuanian. Jackson posted an Instagram story from his account (give him a follow, people) which featured a video of Valanciunas’ locker, along with the message, “Tell JV to come back — spam his page.”

Morant followed suit less than an hour later, posting a story from his Instagram account in which he tagged Valanciunas with the message, “HEY.”

Valanciunas posted star-like numbers with the Grizzlies this season after being acquired in the trade that sent newly-named NBA World Champion Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors. Averaging 19.9 points and 10.7 rebounds in 19 games with Memphis, Valanciunas was one of the bright spots in a disappointing 33-49 season for the Grizzlies.

The big center took advantage of his minutes increase (27.7 per game with the Grizzlies, as opposed to only 18.8 with the Raptors) and asserted himself as an absolute force in the paint, on the boards, and in the hopeful hearts of Grizzlies fans.

dark. Next. All-Inclusive Memphis Grizzlies 2019 NBA Free Agency Guide

Though Jonas’ future with Memphis is still uncertain and will be for a few more weeks, it is good to see the Grizzlies’ new young core lobbying to re-sign their favorite double-double machine. If Valanciunas inks a multi-year deal with the Grizzlies, the future of the team will look much brighter than it has in a couple of years. However, the Grizzlies still need to give the big man a nickname. My submission? The Bearded Behemoth.

Home/Grizzlies Free Agency