Jonas Valanciunas Articles - Page 5

As Canada prepares for their must-win game versus Lithuania on Monday, head coach Nick Nurse said that he plans to give Jonas Valanciunas and his team the good old-fashioned beating. “Obviously love Jonas, but I’m going to try to kick his ass tomorrow,” Nurse said, per Mike Ganter of the Toronto Sun. When Valanciunas heard […]

Even though he wasn’t officially part of the Toronto Raptors roster that won the NBA championship last season, former center Jonas Valanciunas remains hopeful that he’ll still get a ring. Per TSN, Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry asked Valanciunas via text what his ring size is. There is, however, no official word yet from the […]

The Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the most active teams in the offseason thus far. The front office have been extremely busy and have pulled the trigger on various deals that likewise have varying implications for the team moving forward. Below, we highlight the three biggest takeaways from the Grizzlies’ offseason dealings thus far, […]

Eyebrows raised when the Memphis Grizzlies re-signed Jonas Valanciunas to a three-year, $45 million contract in free agency. Not because the seven-year pro, coming off arguably his best season in the NBA, isn’t worth that salary in a vacuum, but due to the fact that rising star Jaren Jackson Jr. will be best utilized at […]

Jonas Valanciunas, it’s clearer now more than ever, is perfectly content to be playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. Just because his midseason trade from the Toronto Raptors turned out for the best, though, hardly means he didn’t feel complicated emotions after his longtime former team, after so many disappointing years of contention, finally took the […]

One of the best things that can happen to a player in any sport is a midseason trade that lands them on a championship contender. Boston Red Sox outfielder Steve Pearce was traded to Beantown at the end of June last year, and would eventually be named the World Series MVP. After over a decade […]

Jonas Valanciunas agreed to re-sign with the Memphis Grizzlies on a three-year contract worth $45 million on the first day of free agency. Valanciunas says the Grizzlies are rebuilding, but that the team is young and has a bright future: Valanciunas on his new deal with Memphis: “I wanted to settle down in one place […]

With NBA free agency season upon us (and really almost passed us), it’s time to do what we all do every year and examine which contracts are the best, and which are the worst. Naturally, we are going to start with the worst, because, you know, of course. To be fair, we do live in […]

When the Memphis Grizzlies traded Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors for Jonas Valanciunas, C.J. Miles, Delon Wright and a future second-round pick, they appeared to be headed for a total rebuild. That notion was confirmed a little over a week ago, when Memphis dealt franchise point guard Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz. Valanciunas […]

Toronto Raptors president for basketball operations Masai Ujiri is definitely the man of the moment, with the 48-year-old team executive widely considered to have been the driving force behind Toronto’s unprecedented championship run. Nonetheless, Ujiri certainly knows how to give credit where it is due, as he continued to highlight the contributions of DeMar DeRozan, […]

After an impressive second half of the season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Jonas Valanciunas announced that he would not pick up his player option for the 2019-2020 season. Valanciunas has to be looking for a long-term deal and is willing to leave money on the table in exchange for job security. With that in mind, […]

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 […]

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 […]

Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas says Sarunas Jasikevicius deserves an NBA head coaching job. Per Lithuanian basketball journalist Donatas Urbonas, Valanciunas said that Zalgiris head coach Jasikevicius — who has been on the radar of different NBA teams including the Grizzlies — has what it takes to coach in the NBA level. Memphis asked me […]

Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas has a pretty interesting guess on how the Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and his former team, the Toronto Raptors, will turn out. There has been plenty of hype built around the matchup of forwards Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard. According to Donatas Urbonas of O, Dangau Sportas, […]

Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas believes Toronto Raptors small forward Kawhi Leonard and Milwaukee Bucks swingman Giannis Antetokounmpo “can reach LeBron’s level” if they continue to improve their games. While LeBron James is still universally recognized as the best player in basketball, Leonard, Giannis and Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant are closing in on […]

Jonas Valanciunas was mostly forgotten last season. After acclimating even better than anticipated to a new role coming off the bench for the Toronto Raptors, the veteran center was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies at the deadline in exchange for Marc Gasol, a deal that proved its worth for Nick Nurse’s in the Eastern Conference […]

Jonas Valanciunas was impressive for the Memphis Grizzlies over the past two months, and he’s making it clear he wants to return to the team next season: "My priority is Memphis." Jonas Valanciunas on approaching contract option this summer. https://t.co/UmA9gx8leG — Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) April 11, 2019 Jonas Valanciunas was part of the trade that […]

The Memphis Grizzlies have announced that center Jonas Valanciunas will miss the remainder of the season with a right ankle injury. Valanciunas suffered the injury on Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Medical update for @memgrizz center Jonas Valanciunas: pic.twitter.com/8o1eB4eFqt — Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR) April 1, 2019 The Grizzlies have five games left […]

Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas sustained a right ankle injury during Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, one that knocked him from the contest. He underwent X-rays which came back negative, which is an encouraging sign, but he’ll still undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of the injury, per Michael Wallace […]

Memphis Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas spoiled the Houston Rockets’ comeback by nailing the game-winning free throw in overtime. The Grizzlies entered the fourth quarter with a 19-point lead over the Rockets. But they very well knew that a comeback led by James Harden was about to ensue. The reigning MVP drained 3-pointer after 3-pointer. Gerald Green, […]

If the Washington Wizards are going to put together a late-season playoff push, they will need a lot of things to go right. That certainly includes the continued health of their top players especially Bradley Beal. But the team suffered a huge injury scare on Saturday night. In the third quarter of their game against […]

The Memphis Grizzlies put in quite an effort on Friday night, as they were able to score an upset against the Utah Jazz, 114-104. Following his team’s victory, Grizzlies big man Jonas Valanciunas acknowledged that the team chemistry is still not at the level they want for it to be, but that they continue to […]

Big man Jonas Valanciunas has been cleared to make his debut for the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night when they take on the San Antonio Spurs, according to Grizzlies beat writer Michael Wallace. Valanciunas needed to be cleared through the immigration process in order to officially join the Grizzlies. Memphis acquired Valanciunas in a trade deadline […]

Jeremy Lin is officially a member of the Toronto Raptors and will wear No. 17. However, before he chose his number, the guard texted former Raptor and current Memphis Grizzlies big man Jonas Valanciunas if it was okay for him to wear No. 17. Valanciunas wore No. 17 with the Raptors. The center, who was a […]

Jonas Valanciunas was traded from the Toronto Raptors to the Memphis Grizzlies ahead of the trade deadline last Thursday in a deal that sent Marc Gasol to the Raptors, but Valanciunas’ transition to Memphis hasn’t been easy thus far. The big man has not yet been cleared to join the Grizzlies, failing to go through […]

The Memphis Grizzlies will be missing the services of newly acquired center Jonas Valanciunas when they go up against the New Orleans Pelicans. According to Grizzlies reporter Mike Wallace, the big man is dealing with some immigration issues. New Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas won’t be available tonight vs Pelicans. Hearing routine Immigration paperwork processing couldn’t […]

Marc Gasol is on the move after all – just not to the team anyone anticipated. In a shocking bit of deadline-day drama, the Toronto Raptors and Memphis Grizzlies are finalizing a deal that will send the three-time All-Star north of the border, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. In exchange, the Grizzlies will get Jonas […]

Toronto Raptors talent Jonas Valanciunas has been in the midst of trade rumors during the past few weeks and most-recently involved in a point-guard-and-center swap alongside teammate Kyle Lowry for the Memphis Grizzlies duo of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. The 7-footer has grown used to hearing his name around the trade deadline, but would […]

Raptors big man Jonas Valanciunas has been sidelined since December 12th due to a finger injury, but it sounds like he’s recovered enough to make his return for Thursday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. Blake Murphy of The Athletic confirmed the news on Thursday morning: Valanciunas will return tonight https://t.co/zc531tde9q — Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) […]

The Toronto Raptors trade offer of Kyle Lowry and Jonas Valanciunas for Mike Conley and Marc Gasol did not appeal to the Memphis Grizzlies, lacking the youth they expected in return. According to Jake Fischer of Sports Illustrated, the Grizzlies wanted a player like OG Anunoby in return to make the trade happen — a […]

With the NBA trade deadline inching closer, the Toronto Raptors are surprisingly trying to get involved in some big-name acquisitions. According to a report by Sports Illustrated’s Jake Fischer, the Raptors have called the Memphis Grizzlies and inquired about acquiring stars Mike Conley and Marc Gasol in a trade. Per Fischer, the Raptors have reportedly […]

It’s been easy for casual NBA fans to overlook Jonas Valanciunas this season. The Toronto Raptors center is coming off the bench for the first time in his career, and has been surpassed in the organization’s player hierarchy by All-Star wing Kawhi Leonard and ever-improving forward Pascal Siakam. But Valanciunas has acquitted himself well for […]

Toronto Raptors big man Jonas Valanciunas has been sidelined for over a month due to a broken thumb he suffered during a win over the Golden State Warriors in mid-December. However, the center may be nearing his return. According to Josh Lewenberg of TSN, Valanciunas has been cleared for full contact and went through a […]

Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas is now slated to return from a left thumb injury around the All-Star break, according to a team release via ESPN’s Tim Bontemps: The injury to Jonas Valanciunas’ left thumb continues to heal and his condition continues to improve. Valanciunas is now wearing a splint for basketball activities only, and […]

Toronto Raptors power forward Jonas Valanciunas is trying to keep his spirits up after dislocating his left thumb. Jonas Valanciunas underwent surgery on Thursday and will be out for at least four weeks. The big man suffered the injury Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors when Draymond Green hit his hand hard while trying to […]

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday they will be without Jonas Valanciunas for at least four weeks after undergoing surgery on his dislocated thumb. Valanciunas will be in a cast for those four weeks and then be re-evaluated after that timeframe. Valanciunas dislocated his left thumb on a play when he was tied up with Golden […]

Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas did not seem very pleased after he dislocated his left thumb in Wednesday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors. Valanciunas suffered the injury early in the second quarter after the ball was knocked away by Warriors star Draymond Green, which caused the 7-footer to hit the ground in a […]

The Memphis Grizzlies are suddenly in a funk, as they have now lost all of their last three games, which included Tuesday’s defeat at the hands of the Toronto Raptors at home, 122-114. For Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green, he could ease the disappointment of that loss by reminiscing the moment he dunked the ball all […]