3 former Toronto Raptors who are playing well in 2022-23

2. Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans

The Lithuanian big man spent most of his formative years with the Raptors playing a complementary role for teams that had championship aspirations, which is not often the best proving ground for those eyeing gaudy box score stats. Since being traded away before the title, Valanciunas has proven he is still a double-double machine.

Valanciunas is averaging 13.4 points and 9.1 rebounds per game despite often sharing the paint with another dominant presence in Zion Williamson and conceding more shots to CJ McCollum. His minutes have reduced to just 23.6 per game, but he’s still making himself known on both ends.

Valanciunas struggled early, likely due to his need to adjust to playing alongside Williamson in the starting lineup. When the Pelicans need to use more traditional lineups, Jonas and his amazing rebounding chops will help New Orleans make some postseason noise.

Valanciunas is back in mid-2010s Raptors mode. He doesn’t need to be the leading scorer on the team, but the rotation feels incomplete without the big seven-footer coming over to vacuum up rebounds and finish off easy looks inside after McCollum penetrates.