The Washington Wizards continue to stack together respectable performances as their nightmare of a season approaches an end.
As the season unfolds, the Wizards and their fanbase continue to brace for the possibility that next year's team will look completely different. Between multiple veterans who are expected to be moved, and likely a boat load of incoming rookies assuming Washington stays aggressive in the upcoming draft, there's limited time for fans to watch the Wizards current players down the stretch.
Ahead of the trade deadline, the team managed to reshape the roster and give the fanbase a taste of what the offseason could look like.
Along the way, the Wizards traded away a fan-favorite player that not only was loved by the team's supporters, but the players on the team.
On Wednesday, they'll get the chance to welcome that familiar face back to Washington D.C. when they host the Sacramento Kings.
Jonas Valanciunas returns to D.C.
The Wizards signed Jonas Valanciunas to a three-year deal in free agency during the offseason. As we mentioned ahead of the deadline, the deal was more of a mutual relationship to work together considering Washington wanted a veteran to shed experience and to offload in a trade to acquire future assets at some point.
As for Valanciunas, the big man hoped to cash in on the open market one last time as his career continues to approach an end.
Despite that, the 32-year-old still managed to become a very likable addition to the Wizards franchise before he was traded to the Kings in February.
In 49 games with the Wizards, Valanciunas averaged 11.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.2 assists, while shooting 54.7% from field goal range. Not bad for a veteran addition.
However, his play wasn't the only reason he was so loved inside of the Wizards organization. Valanciunas was a mentor to the team's young core and he often brought out the best in the team's rookies giving them reliability in the frontcourt, especially for reigning No. 2 overall pick Alex Sarr.
With his new team, Valanciunas is doing more of the same, averaging 8.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 18 minutes per game.
As the Wizards continue to build towards the future, their former player could give them one last parting gift by handing Washington yet another loss on the season that will get them one step closer to earning the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft.