Warriors and Knicks among teams interested in trading for star player

Despite signing a three-year contract with the Washington Wizards this offseason, it appears center Jonas Valančiūnas could be on the move once he becomes eligible this year.

According to Sean Deveney of Heavy.com, there is an expectation that the Wizards will look to trade the center as early as December.

“The Wizards wisely signed him to a three-year, $30 million contract to open free agency,” Deveney wrote. “The expectation is that Washington will begin pursuing a deal for Valanciunas in December, when he’ll be eligible to be traded. However, competition is expected.”

Washington acquired Valančiūnas in a very team-friendly deal, which gives them options in the future to use him in a trade. Most NBA teams are looking for solid big men, so there could end up being a bidding war for Valančiūnas.

Among the teams that are likely to be interested in Valančiūnas are the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors.

“We’ll see how the Knicks’ center position develops,” one NBA executive told Heavy Sports last month, adding the Lakers as contenders for his services. “The Warriors, if (Lauri) Markkanen doesn’t work out.”

Last season, Valančiūnas averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for the New Orleans Pelicans. He shot 55.9 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from three, his lowest percentage since the 2018-19 season.

The Lakers had been in contact with Valančiūnas before he landed in Washington, so they could try to acquire him again. Los Angeles has been looking to upgrade the frontcourt around star Anthony Davis and Valančiūnas could be the perfect partner for him.

The Lakers might have to part ways with the expiring contract of point guard D’Angelo Russell. Washington might like the idea of ​​signing Russell for the latter part of the season along with picks and the Lakers could get a true center.

Both the Knicks and Warriors could benefit from Valančiūnas as well. Golden State needs more size in the frontcourt and Valančiūnas would easily provide that.

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The Knicks lost center Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency, so replacing him with Valančiūnas could help bolster their chances in the tough Eastern Conference. New York was the second seed in the East last season and they want to make an even deeper playoff push this year.

Valančiūnas will start the year with Washington, but will likely be with another team by the trade deadline.

More news: Warriors reportedly competing with several Western Conference teams for Lauri Markkanen