Jonas Valanciunas has a $17.6 million player option which he can opt into to remain with the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2019-20 season.

According to Lithuanian basketball journalist Donatas Urbonas, Valanciunas has yet to decide whether he will opt in or not. The 27-year old Lithuanian big man added that the next head coach will be a big factor for his decision.

Memphis is still in the rigorous process of searching for its next head coach after firing J.B. Biskerstaff, now an assistance for the Cleveland Cavaliers, nearly two months ago.

The Grizzlies acquired Valanciunas in the deal that sent former franchise center Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors.

After starting nearly every game of his entire career with the team that drafted him in 2011, Raptors head coach Nick Nurse relegated Valanciunas to the bench in the 2018-19 season. He also saw a dip in playing time, seeing just 18.8 minutes per game in his 30 games with Toronto this season.

With Memphis, however, Valanciunas gained a more featured role in the offense. He averaged career-high numbers across the board with 19.9 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 blocks in his 19 games with the Grizzlies this season. Unfortunately, his season ended early after he suffered a grade 2 ankle sprain in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 31.

Memphis is currently in rebuild mode and is looking to build their team around Jaren Jackson Jr. and their incoming no. 2 overall pick – most likely Murray State guard Ja Morant.

Valanciunas, 27, unfortunately might not fit their time line and could eventually fall out of their plans entirely.

Valanciunas showed with his late-season play that he is still a very capable body to slot down the post. However, with the league getting faster with all this pace-and-space basketball, a slow-footed big like him might not be very valuable for most teams.