6 Pelicans who won’t last the entire season in New Orleans
By Tyler Watts
2. Jonas Valanciunas
Valanciunas has been on the trade block this summer as the Pelicans look to move on. His role shrunk in year two as JV settled in as the fifth offensive option. He still averaged 14.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 24.9 minutes per game, but his overall impact was down in the first full year with CJ McCollum and following Trey Murphy’s emergence.
Valanciunas is set to make $15.4 million this season in the final year of his deal. He does not appear to be part of the team’s long-term plans, which means the Pelicans should move on before the trade deadline. Getting any asset in return is better than nothing when he walks in free agency.
Multiple teams are still searching for a starting center, so New Orleans has set a high asking price. Expect that to come down in February, especially if the Pelicans are on the fringes of contention.
Jonas Valanciunas may be the most likely player to be moved this season, but he is far from the biggest name likely on the move. The New Orleans Pelicans want to go in a different direction at the five, and JV is unlikely to be the team’s starter to begin the 2024-25 season. Expect the Pels to trade him before the deadline.