Pelicans: Will the Jonas Valanciunas trade make a difference?

New Orleans Pelicans: Jonas Valanciunas is a pick and roll expert

I can already see it now – a Brandon Ingram/Jonas Valanciunas pick and roll working to perfection… When a team has two players like this, the Pick and Roll can be one of the most unstoppable plays in the game. Just think of how well the CP3 and Ayton PnR worked for the Suns in these past playoffs.

At 7’0 265 lbs, Jonas will be setting screens that are impossible to get around. Either the big will have to back down and wait for the guard to recover, or he will have to swap which creates a mismatch both ways.

Last season Adams was able to set some solid screens, but he wasn’t exactly a threat when rolling to the basket. Jonas on the other hand can catch the ball and make a play whether it be dunking all over the opposing team or kicking it out to a 3-point shooter. Not only that, but Brandon Ingram’s midrange game is on lock, so if the big doesn’t step up to contest it’s an easy bucket.

High Energy and Hard Worker

When you think about players that give it their all on every single possession, Jonas Valanciunas’ name comes to mind. If you have ever watched him play, you can tell that he loves the game of basketball and does whatever it takes to win. He battles for second chance points (2nd in the league), dives for loose balls, stands up for his teammates, etc. He’s the type of guy that you love to play with.

Having a player like this will be a huge difference maker for the New Orleans Pelicans because it completely boosts the morale of a team when you have a guy working so hard on every possession, it’s infectious.

If a team is going to succeed, it’ll need a player that gives it their all night in and night out.

Jonas Valanciunas is that guy, so he will be much more for New Orleans than just a big center taking up space in the middle.