By signing during the summer with Wizards for three years and 30 million dollars, Jonas Valanciunas certainly expected to occupy a different role from recent years, given the arrival of Alex Sarr and the reconstruction policy initiated by the franchise in the capital.
After almost two months of competition, it did not fail: the Lithuanian became a substitute and he only plays around twenty minutes per match, for – despite everything – 12.0 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists on average (at 56% on shoots and 92% on free throws).
However, Jonas Valanciunas does not seem bothered by this situation nor by his status as Alex Sarr's mentor. “His” rookie as he likes to call him.
“ As soon as he comes into play, he gains experience » he details concerning his young European teammate (19 years old). “ Currently, experience is essential for him, every minute he spends on the pitch will help him grow. He works hard and his potential is unlimited. »
Enjoy it while it's still here…
At 32, Jonas Valanciunas seems to have entered a new phase of his career: that of the experienced player who, as long as he is in a young team, will be forced to play the role of big brother and teacher, of way to serve as a model for newcomers.
“ For me, it's mostly about being regular and available, taking care of my body, doing the little things. That's what kept me in the league » estimates the pivot about his state of mind in the locker room. “ I have my own style of basketball and, if it works, great. I hope it continues to work for a few more years. »
However, it is rumored that Jonas Valanciunas could quickly change his tune and leave Washingtonbecause several big teams are watching him and would like to attract him for the playoffs. Especially the Lakers…
It must be said that its consistency (more than 13 points and 9 rebounds in nearly 900 games) coupled with its availability (68 games per year since 2012) and its robustness (2m11 for 120kg) make it one of the most interesting interiors of the market.
| Jonas Valanciunas | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2012-13 | TOR | 62 | 24 | 55.6 | 0.0 | 78.9 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 6.0 | 0.7 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 8.9 |
| 2013-14 | TOR | 81 | 28 | 53.1 | 0.0 | 76.2 | 2.8 | 6.0 | 8.8 | 0.7 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 0.9 | 11.3 |
| 2014-15 | TOR | 80 | 26 | 57.2 | 0.0 | 78.6 | 2.7 | 6.0 | 8.7 | 0.5 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 12.0 |
| 2015-16 | TOR | 60 | 26 | 56.5 | 0.0 | 76.1 | 3.1 | 6.0 | 9.1 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 12.8 |
| 2016-17 | TOR | 80 | 26 | 55.7 | 50.0 | 81.1 | 2.8 | 6.7 | 9.5 | 0.7 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 12.0 |
| 2017-18 | TOR | 77 | 22 | 56.8 | 40.5 | 80.6 | 2.4 | 6.2 | 8.6 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 12.7 |
| 2018-19 * | All Teams | 49 | 22 | 55.9 | 29.2 | 79.5 | 2.2 | 6.4 | 8.6 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 15.6 |
| 2018-19 * | TOR | 30 | 19 | 57.5 | 30.0 | 81.9 | 1.8 | 5.4 | 7.2 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 12.8 |
| 2018-19 * | M.E.M. | 19 | 28 | 54.5 | 27.8 | 76.9 | 2.7 | 7.9 | 10.7 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 0.3 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 19.9 |
| 2019-20 | M.E.M. | 70 | 26 | 58.5 | 35.2 | 74.0 | 3.0 | 8.2 | 11.3 | 1.9 | 2.6 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 14.9 |
| 2020-21 | M.E.M. | 62 | 28 | 59.2 | 36.8 | 77.3 | 4.1 | 8.4 | 12.5 | 1.8 | 2.9 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 17.1 |
| 2021-22 | NOP | 74 | 30 | 54.4 | 36.1 | 82.0 | 3.1 | 8.3 | 11.4 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 17.8 |
| 2022-23 | NOP | 79 | 25 | 54.7 | 34.9 | 82.6 | 2.8 | 7.3 | 10.2 | 1.8 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 14.1 |
| 2023-24 | NOP | 82 | 24 | 55.9 | 30.8 | 78.5 | 2.3 | 6.5 | 8.8 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 12.2 |
| 2024-25 | W.A.S. | 24 | 20 | 55.8 | 16.7 | 91.8 | 2.3 | 5.3 | 7.6 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 12.0 |
| Total | 880 | 26 | 56.1 | 34.4 | 79.1 | 2.8 | 6.7 | 9.4 | 1.4 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 13.3 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
