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Memphis Grizzlies: 3 Reasons for Jonas Valanciunas to Opt Into a Return

By Christian Dudley

MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Memphis Grizzlies brings the ball up the court against the Golden State Warriors on March 27, 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 - MARCH 27: Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Memphis Grizzlies brings the ball up the court against the Golden State Warriors on March 27, 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) /
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Memphis Grizzlies Jonas Valanciunas
Jonas Valanciunas excelled when playing alongside the Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Determination on Mike Conley

Along the same lines of the “winning” culture Jonas Valanciunas wants to be a part of during his prime NBA days, the Memphis Grizzlies must retain Mike Conley. With all of the trade talk involving the Grizzlies and Conley, it is difficult to imagine Mike in Memphis by the time the regular season tips off in October.

Valanciunas has said it himself about Conley in relation to his future with the Memphis Grizzlies, per Donatas Urbonas. After all, Mike was Mr. Fourth Quarter this past season, which was perhaps the best of Conley’s 12-season career. The league is taking notice, too, as Mike Conley received a few All-NBA Third Team votes this year.

Even if the Grizzlies do in fact deal Conley between now and the start of the season, that should not be the key determinant in Jonas Valanciunas’ decision to opt in or out. It should also be about the return in which Memphis gets for Conley.

Related Story. 5 Potential Landing Spots for the Memphis Grizzlies' Mike Conley. light

If the Memphis Grizzlies receive future picks and an unfavorable/unappealing expiring contract, then the answer should be “no” from Valanciunas. However, if the Grizz can land a player or two which can boost the team towards making a real run at a spot in the NBA Playoffs in 2020, then Jonas would probably opt in. In essence, the big man does not want to waste some of his best years of basketball being stuck in a rebuild project.

You can even consider the NBA Draft rumors of the Memphis Grizzlies being focused on selecting Murray State’s Ja Morant — a dazzling point guard prospect — with the No. 2 overall pick.

Even this scenario would be a learning experience for Morant, and hard knocks will undoubtedly occur. Despite Ja being touted as a superstar in the making, odds would be against him to propel the Grizzlies into the NBA Playoffs as a rookie floor general. If anything, Jonas would probably prefer Memphis to keep Conley around for one more season to mentor Ja Morant before exiting his M-Town legacy.

But still, there is another piece to the equation for Jonas Valanciunas…

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