By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Memphis Grizzlies are sending Jonas Valanciunas to the New Orleans Pelicans along a couple of picks of the 2021 draft for Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, a couple of picks for the upcoming draft, and a protected first-round selection of the 2022 draft, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The deal is being finalized ahead of Thursday’s draft.
Valanciunas, 29, involved in the first major trade of the offseason brings back memories from a couple of years ago. His first NBA team, the Toronto Raptors packed him with C.J. Miles, Delon Wright, and second-round draft selection to bring in Marc Gasol from Memphis.
The Lithuanian center since inked a three-year contract set to expire at the end of the 2021-22 season. He logged 17.1 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per match in the Regular Season helping clinch the first playoff berth for the franchise since 2017. He added 15.0 points per contest over five postseason appearances.
The draft picks included in the Grizzlies package are the 17th and the 51st, while the 10th and 40th go the opposite direction in company with a top-10 protected selection belonging to the Los Angeles Lakers, as noted by Andrew Lopez.
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