When the Washington Wizards acquired center Jonas Valanciunas in a trade this offseason, the move flew under the radar for many NBA fans. But those who have followed the Lithuanian big man’s career know that he has the potential to be a game-changer for his new team. In fact, don’t be surprised if Valanciunas emerges as the Wizards’ top fantasy basketball option this season.
Valanciunas: A Model of Efficiency
Throughout his NBA career, Valanciunas has been a paragon of efficiency. He boasts a career field goal percentage of 56.6%, ranking among the league’s best. But what sets him apart from other elite rebounders like Rudy Gobert and Clint Capela is his ability to knock down free throws at a respectable clip.
While Gobert, Capela, and Jusuf Nurkic all struggled mightily from the charity stripe last season, Valanciunas quietly shot a solid 78.9% on free throws over his career. This makes him a valuable asset in category-based fantasy leagues, where a center who doesn’t tank your free throw percentage is worth his weight in gold.
Opportunity Knocks in Washington
On the Wizards, Valanciunas will have every opportunity to shine. With only Richaun Holmes and Marvin Bagley III to compete with for minutes at the five, the starting center job is Valanciunas’ to lose. And given his track record of durability – he’s played in at least 62 games in each of the past four seasons – fantasy managers can count on him to be a reliable option night in and night out.
I see a mild Valanciunas renaissance coming. He averaged better than 36 fantasy points per game as recently as 2022. Huge opportunity awaits.
– Anonymous NBA Scout
With more minutes and a larger role in the offense, Valanciunas could easily surpass the career-high 17.6 points per game he averaged with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2020. His rebound numbers should also tick up from the 9.2 per game he pulled down last season with the New Orleans Pelicans, where he often deferred to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
A Fantasy Sleeper to Target
Despite his obvious upside, Valanciunas is being slept on in many fantasy drafts. His average draft position (ADP) sits outside the top 50 in most formats, behind flashier names like Kristaps Porzingis and Deandre Ayton. But savvy fantasy managers would be wise to scoop up the underrated Valanciunas a round or two earlier.
- Valanciunas posted 36.7 fantasy points per game as recently as 2022
- He’s a lock for efficient double-doubles with solid free throw shooting
- The Wizards will give him all the minutes he can handle as their starting center
While Bradley Beal and Kyle Kuzma may be the Wizards’ top scorers, don’t be surprised if Valanciunas leads the team in fantasy value by the end of the season. He has all the tools to be a top-40 fantasy player, with elite rebound and field goal percentage numbers to go along with his sneaky-good scoring upside.
The Bottom Line on Valanciunas
In a league where true centers are becoming increasingly rare, Jonas Valanciunas is a throwback to the bruising big men of years past. He may not stretch the floor or rack up assists like some of the NBA’s unicorns, but his combination of efficiency, rebounding prowess, and underrated scoring ability make him a fantasy force to be reckoned with.
If you’re looking for a reliable center who won’t hurt you at the free throw line, look no further than Valanciunas. He may be flying under the radar now, but by season’s end, he could very well be the fantasy MVP that leads your team to a championship. Don’t sleep on this Lithuanian giant – he’s poised for big things in the nation’s capital.
