Tag: Jonas Valaciunas

HoopsHype: OKC Thunder could be in market for veteran center

HoopsHype: OKC Thunder could be in market for veteran center.

The Oklahoma City Thunder will enter the offseason with $35 million in cap space to toy with. It’s an unprecedented situation as the youngest first seed in league history will have ample opportunities to upgrade its roster.

An area of weakness is the backup big spot. Outside of Chet Holmgrem, OKC doesn’t have a traditional center on its roster for next season. Because of this, the Thunder are viewed as a contender to sign several established centers this offseason.

According to HoopsHype NBA insider Michael Scotto, the Thunder could be in the market for marquee names at the backup center spot who could pair with Holmgren.

“Rival executives are monitoring the Thunder as a potential team in the free-agent center market this summer, with several names available, such as Nic Claxton – who can potentially command over $20 million on the market, as noted by HoopsHype – Isaiah Hartenstein and Jonas Valanciunas, who’s not expected to return to New Orleans, as previously reported by HoopsHype.”

All three are interesting names. Claxton can be an athletic lob threat for the Thunder. He was discussed as a potential trade option during the trade deadline.

Valanciunas is a rebounding machine and can fix OKC’s woes on the boards almost by himself. He might be a problem in the playoffs, but there’s value in his regular-season performance.

Hartenstein will likely command a large payday after a breakout season with the New York Knicks. Odds are, his current squad would like to keep his services. If not, several teams would be interested in him as their starting center — something OKC can’t provide.

All three players are attractive pieces that can improve the Thunder’s roster on paper. Considering the salary they’ll command, they’re likely not options for OKC.

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Mark Daigneault explains Jonas Valanciunas’ declining playing time against Thunder

Mark Daigneault explains Jonas Valanciunas’ declining playing time against Thunder.

NEW ORLEANS — As the Oklahoma City Thunder’s first-round matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans has progressed, Jonas Valanciunas’ playing time has dwindled.

It was painfully obvious in the Thunder’s Game 3 blowout win over the Pelicans. The 31-year-old played a series-low 12 minutes and was benched in the second half in favor of Larry Nance Jr.

In his 64 minutes on the court this series, the Pelicans have been outscored by 26 points. Valanciunas’ matchup against the small and fast Thunder was one of the swinging points heading into this series and it has predictably played in OKC’s favor.

Chet Holmgren nullifies Valanciunas’ paint presence by stretching out to the perimeter. Playing a fast-paced game also is a detriment to New Orleans because the 265-pound center can get tired out.

Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault talked about Valanciunas’ gradual decline in playing time, noting it’s part of the chess match between himself and Pelicans head coach Willie Green.

“It’s just a matter of forcing the opponent to pivot. They’ve forced us to pivot at different times this series,” Daigneault said. “There’s a push-pull with that. … Whatever they choose to do, we gotta be able to attack it and adapt to it.”

It’ll be interesting to see if the Pelicans decide to stick with Valanciunas for Game 4. If they elect to go small to match OKC’s speed, the Thunder should outscore them enough to complete the sweep.

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