The New Orleans Pelicans could trade Kira Lewis Jr. instead of Jonas Valanciunas to move beneath the luxury tax, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
The Pelicans tried to trade for Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen, as the team was looking to upgrade from Valanciunas. However, it appears Lewis Jr. will get moved soon.
“Kira Lewis Jr. appears to have replaced big man Jonas Valančiūnas as the most likely Pelican to be dealt as New Orleans looks to move beneath the luxury tax,” Stein wrote. “The Pelicans have explored various trades involving Valančiūnas’ expiring $15.4 million contract while also searching for a potential new center — including an unsuccessful run at Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen — but Lewis (carrying a $5.7 million salary for next season) is coming up more often now.”
Lewis Jr. will make $5.7 million next season. He signed a four-year, $17.2 million rookie scale contract with New Orleans in November 2020. The Alabama native averaged 4.6 points and 1.3 rebounds last season in 25 games while shooting 45.5% from the field, 44.1% from beyond the arc and 86.4% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kira Lewis Jr, Jonas Valanciunas & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
The 22-year-old Lewis Jr. has career averages of 5.8 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He tore his right ACL two years ago.
Valanciunas has one year left on his contract. He will make $15.4 million next season. The big man averaged 14.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 2022-23 while shooting 54.7% from the floor, 34.9% from 3 and 82.6% from the free-throw line. Valanciunas recorded 43 double-doubles in 79 starts.
The Pelicans acquired Valanciunas from the Memphis Grizzlies in August 2021. The veteran signed a two-year, $30.4 million extension with New Orleans in October 2021. Valanciunas is averaging 15.9 points and 10.8 rebounds in 153 games with the Pelicans.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kira Lewis Jr, Jonas Valanciunas & New Orleans Pelicans Updates
The Pelicans won only 42 games last season. They lost the 9-10 play-in game to the Oklahoma City Thunder at home and didn’t make the playoffs.
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