Ranking The Top Centers in the NBA 2015-16 | GFR 16

Jonas Valanciunas
Current Rank – #16 among all centers

Position C | 7′ 0″, 255 lbs | Toronto Raptors
Born: May 6, 1992 in Lithuania
Drafted 2011: 1st Rnd, 5th by TOR
College: None
Experience: 3 years

GFR Analysis

Keith Rivas – If there’s anything that the Toronto Raptors need heading into 2015 it’s consistency. It’s pretty evident that Kyle Lowry & Co. can’t go very far in the playoffs — if you don’t understand, look at how badly they got swept by the Wizards — if everyone isn’t on the same page. Jonas Valanciunas has posted a decent 12 points and eight rebounds per contest and if he can keep his numbers at that level or just a little higher, you can expect Toronto to return to the post-season. For anything more, the whole team will have to prove they can go above and beyond and give 110 percent.

Ben Buchanan – Valanciunas is still a work in progress but he’s got key tools to suggest the future is very bright for the young Lithuanian. Valanciunas has one of the best post games in the entire NBA (2nd in Hook percentage). He also has an okay jump shot from the midrange section. He was paid this off-season when he received a 4 year, $64 million deal. Valanciunas averages 12 PPG and 8.8 RPG now,  and there’s no reason not to believe he can’t reach 17 ppg and 10 rpg if he continues to progress correctly.

Jr. Williams – For a big-man who only gets about eight looks per game, Jonas Valanciunas makes the best of every opportunity (12 ppg, 3.5 fta) and I would expect his role to improve as he’s clearly one of the top players on the team — only Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan put up better numbers last season. Valanciunas pppg have increased every year, but this season will be another test for a Raptors team who got swept by the Washington Wizards during the 2015 NBA playoffs.  With DeMarre Carroll‘s addition to the roster, the Raptors should improve defensively, but will their current roster be enough to shake up the east?