During the recent NBA offseason, Jonas Valanciunas, a Lithuanian center, drew interest from several teams. The Los Angeles Lakers were among those considering the veteran, as insider Jovan Buha revealed that Valanciunas was included on a list curated by LeBron James. Despite this, the Lakers did not view him as a primary target.
Buha disclosed on his podcast that while the Lakers had some level of interest in Valanciunas, he was not a top priority for the team. Instead, other players, like Wendell Carter, emerged as more prominent options for the Lakers. This shift in focus indicates that Valanciunas, although on the radar, was overshadowed by other potential acquisitions.
Valanciunas ultimately signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Washington Wizards. Despite his solid performance last season, where he averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game with the New Orleans Pelicans, he was not deemed crucial for the Lakers’ immediate plans.
There remains a possibility that Valanciunas could become a target for the Lakers at the trade deadline. However, Buha considers him more of a mid-to-low-tier trade option, suggesting that while his value is recognized, the Lakers’ current focus lies elsewhere.
“There was some interest obviously and he was on LeBron’s list so I think the Lakers will probably revisit that,” Buha said.