Jonas Valanciunas comments on prospect of him playing in Barcelona / News - Basketnews.com

Jonas Valanciunas jokes about a potential move to FC Barcelona: "I'm a good guy, and I don't want to hurt Willy."

Credit: AFP – Scanpix Credit AFP – Scanpix

New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas is about to enter the summer with potential changes. The Lithuanian big man will become an unrestricted free agent after his current two-year, $30 million contract extension, signed in 2021, expires.

Jonas Valančiūnas

MIN:24.6PTS:12.78 (61.3%)REB:9.31As:2.19ST:0.39BL:0.97TO:1.37GM:67ProfileNBA2023/2024

Rumors swirled last summer that the Pelicans were open to trading his expiring deal to upgrade defensively at the position, but nothing materialized.

At 31 years old, Valanciunas is very likely to remain in the NBA, with the possibility of returning to Europe seeming remote. However, Mundo Deportivo's Toni Canyameras recently broached the topic of Valanciunas playing for FC Barcelona, similar to his former teammate Willy Hernangomez's move last summer.

"I can't do that to my guy, Willy. I can't take his place. I won't be there [in Barca]. I'm a good guy, and I don't want to hurt him," Valanciunas amusingly remarked regarding the prospect of competing in Catalonia.

Reflecting on Hernangomez, Valanciunas expressed how much he misses his presence in New Orleans.

"He's a tremendous guy with incredible energy. We always spent time together, so I miss him. I wish him the best, he is playing well now in Barcelona," JV said of Willy.

"He chose Barca, ​​I think it's his home. I mean, he is from Madrid, but his girl is from Barcelona. They found a house and are living well. I'm happy for him, things are going well for him, I'm happy for the guy."

If Valanciunas does not want to take Hernangomez's place, he could potentially play in Barcelona alongside another familiar face, Rokas Jokubaitis, the Lithuanian national team's starting point guard.

"Perfect, we'll see what I do in the future," Valanciunas said. "It's far away, it's difficult to talk about it, it's far away. We'll see."

Jokubaitis was selected with the 34th overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2021 NBA Draft. Later on draft day, his rights were traded to the New York Knicks.

Valanciunas evaluated his fellow countryman's chances of making it to the NBA.

"Well, the Knicks drafted him, let's see if they bring him or keep him [in Barcelona]," Valanciunas said. "Why not? He has shown that he can play international basketball, all the championships, and the World Cup. He's having a great year, and I think he can play [in the NBA]."

Credit FIBA

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