Wizards Won't Trade Jonas Valanciunas For Late 2nd Rounders

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Washington Wizards will consider trading Jonas Valanciunas at the trade deadline, but sources tell The Athletic they will be picky. The Wizards will not simply trade Valanciunas for late second round picks and will want a draft pick or a combination of picks that would appreciably help their rebuild. 

If the Wizards were required to take back a highly paid player on a multi-year contract, they will seek extra pick compensation. Some believe two second rounders could be the maximum return the Wizards receive for trading Valanciunas.

The Wizards signed Valanciunas to a three-year, $30.3 million contract in July. The final year of his contract is non-guaranteed. Part of the reasoning in signing Valanciunas was to protect Alex Sarr from the physical rigors of defending other centers. 

In a career-low 19.9 minutes per game entering Monday, he had averaged 11.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. 

Via Josh Robbins, David Aldridge/The Athletic

[writersblock]

I don't get the Wizards at all. They play their high profile signing and then hardly play him, and yet they won't trade him for what they're showing the league he's worth. Jordan Butler is the GOAT and they don't even play him in a blow-out. I get not wanting to win, but this is downright dumb. I feel bad for the couple of fans the team has left.

[DCZards]

Valanciunas is not getting a lot of minutes because the priority for the Wizards is playing and developing Alex Sarr…and rightfully so.

I like JV. He has played well. He’s a valuable and productive player off the bench and as a Wizards fan I’d rather keep Valanciunas than trade him for late second round picks.

[Kent]

Teams are low balling the Wizards with two second round picks, whether they're late or even early seconds.

The FO should be picky.

[Pickled Prunes]

To SAC for Trey Lyles and two 2nds. Done.

[Chuck Everett]

They signed him, just so they could move him but they've been trading players for terrible deals since taking over (Dawkins/Winger). Why give up anything of value when they will just hand over good players for seemingly nothing.

Gafford, Porzingis, Deni, Tyus walks in FA. These guys are so bad.

[TheCage4]

I liked Valanciunas during his time with the Grizzlies. To me, the guy is a gamer. I think he would be a welcomed addition to most teams.

[Blue_and_Whte]

He’d be a decent pick up for Orlando with Moritz going down.

[SlimShady83]