
Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto Raptors
Out of nowhere, Jonas Valanciunas is playing what might be the best basketball of his career. Over his last six games, he’s averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds and shooting 60 percent from the field and 71 percent from behind the arc.
Against the Jazz last week, he dropped 28 points and made two triples in a single game for the first time. Who knows if it sticks, but Valanciunas — once thought of as a big man better-suited for yesteryear — is suddenly doing things he never has before. I.e. banging down threes and attacking close-outs with dribble penetration —
The Lithuanian national may have seemed like an imperfect fit with Gobert previously. But, if he can continue this sudden evolution, maybe there’s something here.
Valanciunas has seemingly been on the block forever. Although the Raptors don’t have the same issues with paying the luxury tax that most teams have, his contract may finally be on the move.
Next: Washington Wizards