Washington Wizards news: According to reports, LeBron James is willing to take a significant pay cut in his new deal in order to help the Los Angeles Lakers sign another key player for the upcoming season. Reports also indicate that Jonas Valanciunas was one of the three players who James would be willing to sacrifice good money for.
Well, the Lakers will now have to focus on the two other players on the list now that the Wizards have reportedly secured the services of Valanciunas on a massive new deal.
Washington Wizards Signing Jonas Valanciunas
Valanciunas, who averaged 12.2 points and 8.8 rebounds with the New Orleans Pelicans last season, was a wanted man in free agency. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, however, it’s the Wizards who have won the sweepstakes:
“Free agent center Jonas Valanciunas has agreed on a three-year, $30 million deal with the Washington Wizards, sources tell ESPN,” Woj reported on X, formerly Twitter.
The Wizards just scooped up highly touted big man Alex Sarr second overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, and Valanciunas could aid the 19-year-old in his transition in the league. Washington also added former Rookie of the Year Malcolm Brogdon recently, and Valanciunas is another veteran presence that will be pivotal in the development of the Wizards’ young core.
As for the Lakers, Valanciunas is the second player who has been crossed off their three-man wish list after James Harden agreed to an extension with the Los Angeles Clippers. This leaves Klay Thompson as their last option — at least among this aforementioned trifecta — as they look to make use of the cap room that will potentially be cleared up by LeBron’s pay cut.
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