Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas plans to decline his $17.6 million player-option for the 2019-20 season, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
While he will become an unrestricted free agent, his primary intention is to negotiate a new deal with Memphis, where he flourished after being traded for Marc Gasol prior to the deadline, averaging 19.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game after the trade.
Both sides were restricted to only a two-year extension based on the six-month rule from the time of the trade, according to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks. Opting out of his contract gives both parties the necessary flexibility to hammer out a long-term agreement that would likely start around that $17 million-a-year figure.
The 7-foot Lithuanian was in line to make $17.6 million next season by opting in, but it's likely that the 27-year-old is looking to lock down a long-term agreement around this rebuilding core.
The Grizzlies intend to get much, much younger in the near future, potentially in line to trade veteran point man Mike Conley and slated to draft consensus No. 2 selection Ja Morant, who could replace him in the starting lineup.
Memphis could get a veteran point guard in return for Conley, one who could mentor Morant as he gets a grasp for the NBA game in his first season.
As for Valanciunas, the trade to the Western Conference has given his career new life, after spending several seasons in Toronto shy of his full potential as a finesse center.
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