After a skid in the immigration process, Jonas Valanciunas will finally debut for the Memphis Grizzlies as they face the San Antonio Spurs.
The Memphis Grizzlies (23-34) will finally get to see all of their new roster additions in action on Tuesday as center Jonas Valanciunas makes his way into the rotation.
Valanciunas was one of three players plus a future second-round NBA Draft pick that was sent to Memphis in the deal which landed Marc Gasol with the Toronto Raptors.
C.J. Miles and Delon Wright were the other two players accompanying Jonas Valanciunas. Miles and Wright debuted in the Memphis Grizzlies’ 99-90 home victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. However, they did so without their frontcourt counterpart.
Valanciunas gained clearance late this afternoon to be able to suit up for the Grizzlies. The delay has been with his immigration paperwork. Therefore, he has not been able to practice with the team.
Word is new Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas has been cleared via immigration process to make his Memphis debut tonight vs Spurs.
— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) February 12, 2019
It may be a rough start for Jonas, who is fresh off a return from a thumb injury. This particular ailment had him sidelined for 26 consecutive games prior to being dealt to Memphis. Still, if Saturday’s Grizzly win over the Pelicans is any indication, “winging it” did just fine for a bunch that is attempting to build fairly new chemistry.
This will provide three options at the center position for Grizzlies Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Valanciunas, in addition to Ivan Rabb and Joakim Noah, are all deserving of big minutes. It will be interesting to see who earns Bickerstaff’s favor on Tuesday against the San Antonio Spurs.
Jonas’ Valanciunas’ debut with the Memphis Grizzlies marks the beginning of his feeling-out process, if you will. He owns a player option for next season in the amount of $17,617,976. One would have to believe it would be difficult for him to turn down that much cash on the table, especially if a starting role would be on the table.
As the Grizzlies currently rank next-to-last in the NBA’s Western Conference, not all is lost for the team. More specifically, this friendly competition at the center spot will be something special to watch.
Ivan Rabb is looking to prove he is worth the ongoing investment. Joakim Noah is continuously demonstrating that he still has “it.” Plus, Valanciunas is going to want to edge these two teammates out of the way to earn the majority of the minutes at the five-spot.
In being perhaps the most important piece to the Gasol transaction, Jonas is also a key factor in evaluating the winner of the deal between the Grizzlies and Raptors.
Tip-off between the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs is set for 7:00 PM Central Time. Mike Conley, Kyle Anderson, Dillon Brooks, and Chandler Parsons will be missing in action inside the Grindhouse. Follow game updates via Beale Street Bears on Twitter.