Jonas Valanciunas #17 of the Washington Wizards gestures during the second quarter during the game against Miami Heat (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)
In a season marred by historic struggles for the Washington Wizards, veteran center Jonas Valančiūnas has emerged as a steadying presence at 32 for a young roster navigating the challenges of a multi-year rebuild.
Valančiūnas, a free-agent addition during the offseason, joined the Wizards on a three-year, $30.3 million contract in a sign-and-trade. Known for his consistency and physicality throughout his career, he has taken rookie Alex Sarr under his wing. The No. 2 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Sarr has been thrust into a starting role as part of the team’s focus on youth.
“That’s my rook right there!” Valančiūnas told RG about Sarr while sitting next to each other in the locker room before a recent game.
Valančiūnas, who has had no issue coming off the bench behind Sarr, emphasized the need for the rookie to get as many reps as possible. Based on everything he’s seen, Valančiūnas believes Sarr has unlimited potential if he can continue to work as hard he has this season.
“Every time he steps on the court, he gains experience,” Valančiūnas explained to RG about Sarr’s development. “Right now, experience is key for him—every minute he plays will help him grow. He’s working hard, and the sky’s the limit for him.”
Through 22 games, Sarr has shown flashes of potential, averaging 10.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. Despite the team’s struggles, his development is evident, and he benefits from both extended playing time and Valančiūnas’ guidance. It raises questions regarding whether the Wizards would be better off keeping Valančiūnas as opposed to accepting a trade offer from a contender.
A Locker Room Leader
Various members of the Wizards organization spoke highly to RG about Valančiūnas’ presence in the locker room and practice court in Sarr’s ongoing development. He continues to embrace the process as a mentor and player who continues to make his mark for the next generation, a valuable resource for Sarr.
Valančiūnas, in his 13th NBA season, continues to offer a consistent impact in his 19.7 minutes per game. In his career, he’s been highly consistent, averaging 13.3 points and 9.4 rebounds across 880 regular season games. This includes a stretch from 2020 to 2023 featuring averages of 15.9 points and 11.3 rebounds per game as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies (2019-21) and then New Orleans Pelicans (2021-22). Sarr can naturally learn from this consistency.
“You’ve got to know what you want,” Valančiūnas told about maintaining consistency throughout his career.
“For me, it’s about being consistent and present, taking care of my body, and doing the little things. That’s what has kept me here.”
Valančiūnas has remained productive in his own right, averaging 12.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across 24 games this season. His ability to maintain a traditional back-to-the-basket style of play has remained impressive in an era where teams try to space out as much as possible and deploy small ball lineups to maximize defensive versatility.
“I have my style of playing basketball,” Valančiūnas told. “If it works, it works. I hope it continues to work for a few more years.”
Trade Speculation: Pros and Cons
Beyond mentorship, Valančiūnas presents the Wizards with a short-term option to deploy against tough center matchups or top teams while the rest of the frontcourt develops. His willingness to take on these challenges has garnered praise from the coaching staff, even being described as a “total professional” by Wizards head coach Brian Keefe after a recent game.
If a rival front office seeks to trade for Valančiūnas, the Wizards will need to be genuinely enticed by the return to part with such a mentor, who is helping Sarr grow daily. Since signing his contract, one team that’s frequently been linked to the Lithuanian center is the Los Angeles Lakers as an option to pair with Anthony Davis.
As the Wizards endure growing pains, Valančiūnas’ leadership and mentorship remain critical for developing their young core. With players like Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly gaining valuable experience alongside a proven veteran, Washington is planting seeds for a brighter future—however distant that may seem.
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Grant Afseth
