The Lithuanian big man was poised to accept a max contract offer sheet of four yours and $80 million from any National Basketball Association team that Toronto would have been hard pressed not to match.
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The Raptors say they will make it official later today, but apparently both sides have agreed to the deal. I think a lot of what hurt him this past season on the defensive end was the play of the guards on the perimeter. The Raptors are understandably pleased to lock up a 23-year-old 7-footer who has the skills to be a second or third option in an elite offense.
“Precisely what Valanciunas is worth is a matter of debate, “Michael Grange of Sportsnet wrote”. Another win in an already successful off-season for the team, especially considering a 4-year max contract extension would have been in the $93m ballpark once the salary cap rises next season. The murky waters of contract uncertainty won’t be weighing on his shoulders going forward, which should provide the 7-foot center with a clear mind knowing the Raptors fully believe in his capabilities.
Valanciunas averaged a career-high 12 points last season and finished second to Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan with a. 572 field goal percentage. He attempted 15 shots or more in eight games for his entire career.
Verticality has also been Valanciunas’ friend.
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Jonas Valanciunas stated during Thursday’s presser that he understands his playing time won’t go up until he gets better on defense, so he’s been spending time this offseason to work on that part of his game. The Raptors signing Valanciunas at a similar price could be a steal as the cap keeps rising. Nurse, who returned to North America for the Vegas Summer League, was headed back to Lithuania for more one-on-one training with Valanciunas after the tournament.
