NBA News: Toronto Raptors' Jonas Valanciunas Eyes Better Defense; NBA All-Star Kyle Lowry Signs With Andrew Wiggins, Kelly Olynyk

By Mitch de Leon
Jonas Valanciunas
The Toronto Raptors signed Jonas Valanciunas to a multi-year contract deal.

The Toronto Raptors once again showed the NBA team's dedication to building a better group this upcoming regular season. With this goal in mind, the Toronto Raptors opted to offer star center Jonas Valanciunas a contract extension that would expand for four years. The multi-year contract of the seven-foot Lithuanian player is reportedly worth US$64 million.

Jonas Valanciunas spent the past three NBA seasons with the Toronto Raptors. Throughout these years, the NBA star achieved an average of 10.9 points, 1.1 blocks, 26.3 minutes and 8.0 rebounds in the span of 223 career games he played with the Toronto Raptors. From the field, he managed to shoot .553 (936 - 1,694). The Lithuanian NBA star was picked as the fifth overall choice by the Toronto Raptors during the 2011 NBA Draft. While the multi-year contract deal was initiated by the current general manager of the Toronto Raptors, Masai Ujiri, the entry of Jonas Valanciunas in the NBA team was facilitated by former GM Bryan Colangelo.

"We feel he's (Jonas Valanciunas) made progress," disclosed Toronto Raptors GM Ujiri, according to National Post. Ujiri went on to say, "He's a great kid. Loves the city, loves the fans, loves everything about Toronto and that's what we want to embrace here." The Toronto Raptors GM further shared that Jonas Valanciunas showed enormous potential in the basketball court and Ujiri believes that the NBA star will "get better" in the long run.

In his statement following the finalization of the multi-year contract with the Toronto Raptors, Jonas Valanciunas shared that he can feel the trust and confidence of the NBA team in his abilities to contribute to their growth. He said, "That's why we're doing the deal, because I feel the trust in me." The Toronto Raptors star went on to say, "I just want to say thank you to the whole organization for placing their trust in me. I'm ready to go out and compete on the court. Now it's my time to go out and do something."

The NBA star also disclosed that he intends to continue improving his performance in the Toronto Raptors. Citing that his main goal for the NBA team is to "win" as many games as possible, Jonas Valanciunas shared that he identified his weak spot as his defense stance. He then noted that his participation in the national team will serve as a good platform for him to progress from his previous gameplays in the Toronto Raptors. Jonas Valanciunas vowed, "I'm going to come back to Toronto in September ready."

Meanwhile, Toronto Raptors star Kyle Lowry recently signed an endorsement deal with the Bank of Montreal. Alongside the NBA All-Star are Andrew Wiggins of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tyler Ennis of the Milwaukee Bucks and Kelly Olynyk of the Boston Celtics.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories