HoopsHype.com Rumors

Center Jonas Valanciunas, who has just completed a very promising rookie NBA season with the Toronto Raptors will join national team preparations at a later stage as he will take part with his team in the Las Vegas summer league. Another center who had his first season in the NBA this year, Donatas Motiejunas, is also on the team after reaching the western conference play-offs with the Houston Rockets. Eurobasket 2013

Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, FIBA, Summer League, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas, Eurobasket 

Jeff Zillgitt: NBA All-Rookie second team: Andre Drummond, Jonas Valanciunas, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Kyle Singler, Tyler Zeller. Twitter @JeffZillgitt

Kyle Singler, Jonas Valanciunas, Tyler Zeller, Andre Drummond, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 

As for Valanciunas, the promising Raptors big man who's been averaging a 15-7 since mid-March, here's a true story: When Sam Presti was quietly shopping James Harden last October, he called Toronto to feel out a Jonas package. And got rebuffed. Quickly. Grantland

Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Sam Presti, James Harden, Jonas Valanciunas 

Officially the injury is a flexion extension injury of his neck — which is the convoluted way of saying whiplash. Valanciunas was in his normal good spirits as he and McKechnie maneuvered their way through another huge pain in the neck known as O’Hare International Airport. A near two-hour delay — after flying the team charter all season — was likely an inconvenience, but the easy-going Lithuanian rolled with the punches. He will be re-evaluated Thursday in Toronto. Toronto Sun

Toronto Raptors, Injuries, Jonas Valanciunas 

The Toronto Raptors’ Jonas Valanciunas and the Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard today were named the Kia NBA Eastern and Western Conference Rookies of the Month, respectively, for games played in March. Valanciunas ranked first among Eastern Conference rookies in rebounds (7.3 rpg), blocks (1.07 bpg), and field goal percentage (.620). He also ranked second in free throw percentage (.822) and fourth in scoring (11.4 ppg), reaching double figures in points in 11 of his last 12 games (March 6-31). Valanciunas is one of only two rookies (New Orleans’ Anthony Davis) in the NBA averaging at least 8.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and shooting 50 percent from the floor this season. CSNNW.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Toronto Raptors, Jonas Valanciunas, Damian Lillard 

The Raptors are developing an offseason program for center Jonas Valanciunas after meeting with his agent, Leon Rose. Valanciunas is expected to play most of September with the Lithuanian national team before rejoining the Raptors for training camp. Save for a hand injury that cost him six weeks, Valanciunas has enjoyed a capable rookie season, averaging 7.1 points and 5.6 rebounds. Boston Globe

Toronto Raptors, Jonas Valanciunas 

Ryan Wolstat: "I've been here five months already, every month I feel more and more comfortable," Valanciunas said about adjusting to speed of NBA game Twitter @WolstatSun

Toronto Raptors, Jonas Valanciunas 

Ross could not crack the Raptors’ small lineup down the stretch, with DeMar DeRozan, Landry Fields and Alan Anderson each playing ahead of him. Valanciunas played a few fourth-quarter minutes with Amir Johnson in foul trouble, but came out in the final stretch. Kyle Lowry’s four final-minute points won the game for the Raptors. “I had to get Jonas out at the end, bless his heart,” Casey said. He said, ‘Coach, [Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson] is coming really fast.’ I said, ‘Guess what: All of them are coming fast.’ … Everything is so fast for rookies. I don’t care who you are, what level of rookie you are: It is a learning experience. National Post

Toronto Raptors, Kyle Lowry, Amir Johnson, DeMar DeRozan, Landry Fields, Alan Anderson, Jonas Valanciunas 

Midway through the fourth quarter of Friday’s game between the Pacers and the Raptors, Tyler Hansbrough got a little more physical than the rules should allow while battling for position under the basket with Jonas Valanciunas. Hansbrough literally throws Valanciunas to the ground near the end of the play, but the officials on the floor didn’t deem there to be enough contact to whistle him for even a personal foul, much less a flagrant for his actions. NBCSports.com

Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, Tyler Hansbrough, Jonas Valanciunas 

Ryan Wolstat: Jonas Valanciunas said maybe two people care about the Super Bowl in Lithuania Then he invited himself and pals to my basement to watch game Twitter @WolstatSun

Toronto Raptors, Jonas Valanciunas 

Eric Koreen: Jonas Valanciunas was rather annoyed about Butler's last second play. And, um, disappointed the two teams don't meet again this yr. Twitter

Los Angeles Clippers, Toronto Raptors, Caron Butler, Jonas Valanciunas 

The reason? The asking price is far too high. As I mentioned last week, the players most coveted include the likes of Jose Calderon, Terrence Ross and one of the young bigs — and I know Jonas Valanciunas’s name has come up in conversation — and I would suggest GM Bryan Colangelo should have no interest in that kind of chatter. Toronto Star

Memphis Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Trade, Rudy Gay, Bryan Colangelo, Jonas Valanciunas, Terrence Ross 

Toronto Raptors rookie Jonas Valanciunas is expected to be out four to six weeks while he recovers from a hand injury, the club said Wednesday. Valanciunas was battling for a loose ball under the basket when he fell and broke the ring finger on his right hand during Toronto's 93-90 victory over the Orlando Magic on Dec. 21. TSN

Toronto Raptors, Injuries, Jonas Valanciunas 

Toronto Raptors rookie Jonas Valanciunas broke his right ring finger during an NBA game Friday against the Orlando Magic. The Lithuanian center grabbed his hand after battling for a loose ball under the Magic basket midway through the first quarter. He left the court wincing in pain and an X-ray later revealed the fracture. USA Today

Toronto Raptors, Injuries, Jonas Valanciunas 

Toronto Raptors: X-rays on right hand of Jonas Valanciunas reveal a fractured metacarpal on ring finger. He's out for the remainder of tonight's game. #RTZ Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Injuries, Jonas Valanciunas 

Ryan Wolstat: Odd, Sabonis presented Valanciunas with the Lithuanian baller of the year award well before most people in the building Twitter @WolstatSun

Toronto Raptors, Arvydas Sabonis, Jonas Valanciunas 

Q: Hi Doug. All signs point to Valanciunas eventually becoming a solid contributor for the Raps (I would be happy with 18 and 10). What do you think should be the team's approach during the off-season? Encourage him to see one of the experts such as Grgurich or Olajuwon, or let him develop at his own pace through gameplay with his national team? Anson B, Ottawa. Doug Smith: Dwane actually mentioned this week the possibility of having him work with Olajuwon this summer and as long as someone write a check big enough, it’ll happen. Guess it can’t hurt. And I’m not sure what’s up this summer for the Lithuanian team outside of qualifying for the 2014 worlds but I’m sure Jonas will be part of that team. Toronto Star

Toronto Raptors, Hakeem Olajuwon, Jonas Valanciunas 

“We get advice from Kyle. He brings us backpacks. That’s his advice. Really nice. The pink one, that’s my color.” — Jonas Valanciunas, who has already grasped the concept of biting sarcasm The Score

Toronto Raptors, Kyle Lowry, Jonas Valanciunas 

Amir Johnson asked the fans to pronounce the name of his new teammate. He uploaded the video for everyone to see on his YouTube channel called Amir TV. And you, do you know how to say "Jonas Valanciunas"? TalkBasket

Toronto Raptors, Amir Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas 

Ryan Wolstat: Jonas Valanciunas on the Durant dunk: "I was mad ... It happened. Maybe next time it will be opposite." Twitter @WolstatSun

Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors, Kevin Durant, Jonas Valanciunas