NBA Free-Agency: 3 Center Options if Jonas Valanciunas Fails to Return to Memphis Grizzlies

If Jonas Valanciunas decides to part ways with the Memphis Grizzlies, these are three realistic options at the center position in which they could visit in NBA Free-Agency.

Now that the Memphis Grizzlies have a new head coach in place, they can focus on establishing a preliminary roster for next season. In beginning with their starting five, they have nearly all components in place, but a big question mark looms at the center position due to Jonas Valanciunas‘ impending contract decision.

Valanciunas must soon decide whether to opt in — or out — of the final year of his current contract. Many would think that it would be an easy decision for him to accept a fully-guaranteed $17.6 million amount, but this predicament involves much more than dollars to Jonas. He has stated multiple times this offseason that it is not all about money, and rather, he wants to win while holding an important role on the team.

Whether that team is the Memphis Grizzlies remains to be seen. Jonas Valanciunas has said that his decision will officially be made once the team hires a head coach, and that formal introduction took place on Wednesday afternoon when the team held a press conference with newcomer Taylor Jenkins. The theme of the presser is that the Grizzlies will be rebuilding and will not be expecting many wins headed in their direction.

This is unfavorable news for the odds of Valanciunas to return to the Grizzlies. This feeling also resonates the idea of Mike Conley being traded at some point between now and the start of the 2019-20 season, which is something that also hinders the chances of Jonas to return to Memphis. You would have to believe any return on Conley will earn less wins for the Grizzlies, thus signaling a rebuilding effort from the ground up.

While Jonas Valanciunas is not one of the youthful pieces the Memphis Grizzlies wish to build around entirely, he is still a valuable contributor. He finished the 2018-19 season as one of the Grizzlies’ best players, though he has only been on the roster since the infamous mid-February trade with the Toronto Raptors went down.

Valanciunas and Conley served as a veteran one-two punch in the months of March and April. They made games entertaining. Plus, it enabled Memphis to win a few more meetings that expected once the Grizzlies tumbled in the season standings. Jonas was a double-double beast, including being the team’s best rebounder by far. The aspect of rebounding alone is reason enough for them to hope he opts in for next season.

If Jonas Valanciunas decides to opt out of his current deal, thus entering NBA Free-Agency, there is some good news for the Memphis Grizzlies. Though there are not many superstar — or even NBA All-Star — names on the 2019 free-agent list as far as the center position is concerned, there happens to be plenty of valuable contributors that will be on the open market. Losing Jonas would not be the end of the world, and actually, it will be quite possible to adequately replace his services.

With players with a player option pending aside, Beale Street Bears provides three NBA centers in which they should target in NBA Free-Agency to replace Jonas Valanciunas should he depart for a new home.