Memphis Grizzlies: Jonas Valanciunas Provides Update on Looming Contract Decision
With only a few days left until a contract decision has to be made by Jonas Valanciunas, he has provided another update on his thought process with the Memphis Grizzlies.
It is an understatement to say that Jonas Valanciunas plays an important role for the Memphis Grizzlies. He not only is their starting center on paper, but he is also set to hit the Grizzlies’ books for $17.6 million next season. That is, if he opts in to the final year of his contract.
This big decision must be made by June 29th, and it looks like Valanciunas will take his time to make an official announcement. Will he opt in? Or will he opt out and hit the NBA Free-Agency open market?
On Tuesday in Lithuania at the Basketball Awards ceremony, Lithuanian hoops reporter Donatas Urbonas provided a quote from Jonas Valanciunas (directly below), which was specifically about his upcoming decision.
Jonas Valanciunas on his player option with Memphis Grizzlies: “It’s still early to say. Deeper into the summer, we’ll have a better picture who’s staying and what are the team plans. Firstly, I want to see who’s a head coach. It’s gonna be a huge factor.”
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) June 5, 2019
This is not the first time Valanciunas has mentioned the Memphis Grizzlies’ head coaching process playing a huge part in his ultimate decision. This is understandable for multiple reasons, especially for a guy who wants to play and wants to win now. Plus, one of the leading candidates for the Grizzlies’ head coach title — Sarunas Jasikevicius — is a Lithuanian hoops legend.
When asked if Memphis coach search process took too long, Valanciunas smiled: “Maybe they’re waiting for a really great option. Not all of them finished the season. Oh, I see they finished.” JV looked at Sarunas Jasikevicius, who took the coach of the year award in LKL awards.
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) June 5, 2019
Then Jonas went on to discuss the Jasikevicius, who coached Zalgiris to a championship title this past Saturday. Valanciunas continues to praise “Saras.”
Valanciunas on what NBA people talk about Sarunas Jasikevicius: “They say really good things about him. It’s a coach, who made some incredible things despite still being in early years of head coaching career. But we’ll see. It’s not up to me.”
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) June 5, 2019
It is difficult to imagine Jonas Valanciunas turning down $17.6 million if the Memphis Grizzlies select a head coach without the last name of Jasikevicius, but crazier things have happened in NBA history. It shows how much the 27-year-old center wants to win. The NBA Finals, featuring his former Toronto Raptors teammates, are surely biting at his nerves and playing with his emotions in wanting to play in that moment and on that stage.
The clock is ticking and there are several major question marks that are currently outstanding for the Memphis Grizzlies. Aside from Jonas Valanciunas’ contract decision, the team will have to decide if it is time to deal Mike Conley at the NBA Draft or hold onto him longer. Then there is the ongoing coaching search, which would be best if resolved prior to the NBA Draft. All of these factors will play into Jonas’ decision.
If Jonas Valanciunas opts in, it will provide a strong presence — especially from a rebounding perspective — at the five-spot. However, if he decides to leave the Memphis Grizzlies in his past, a nice chunk of change will be in the Grizzlies’ possession to go out and nab a free-agent to fill the void — perhaps one that could work even better with sophomore-to-be Jaren Jackson Jr.
Next. 3 Keys to Jonas Valanciunas Returning to the Memphis Grizzlies. dark
Even if Valanciunas opts out, it will not necessarily mark the end of his tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies. As Jonas discussed in his exit interview in April, if the Grizzlies are open to it and he likes how things shake out in June, he could opt out of his current contract in order to sign a long-term deal, one that is more salary cap-friendly so Memphis can add more pieces to compete in the mighty Western Conference.