Pelicans ink center Jonas Valanciunas to a two-year extension

He hasn’t even played a regular season game with the New Orleans Pelicans yet, but the team has already decided he belongs.

The Pelicans have signed recently acquired big man Jonas Valanciunas to a two-year, $30.1 million contract extension that will take effect following the conclusion of the 2020/21 campaign.

The 29-year old, who was acquired in a multi-player trade with the Memphis Grizzlies back in August, has averaged 12.9 points and 9.2 rebounds over a span of nine seasons and 621 games split between the Toronto Raptors and Grizzlies.