Jonas Valanciunas will have to wait a little bit longer to make his debut for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Michael Wallace of the team’s official website reported on Saturday that the seven-footer would not be available for that night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to an immigration issue. The issue was simply routine paperwork processing however, and Valanciunas is fully expected to play in Tuesday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs.
New Grizzlies center Jonas Valanciunas won't be available tonight vs Pelicans. Hearing routine Immigration paperwork processing couldn't get completed until after trade was completely official, which was today. Jonas expected to be available for Tuesday's home game.
— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) February 9, 2019
Valanciunas, who has been in the league since 2012, is a Lithuania native and had played his entire career to this point in Canada for the Toronto Raptors.
Wallace also noted that the situation was specific to Valanciunas and that Delon Wright and CJ Miles, who were also sent by the Raptors to Memphis as part of the same deal, were able to make it for Saturday’s game without issue.
This particular immigration processing was specific to Jonas, from my understanding. Delon Wright and C.J. Miles, who also came over in the trade from Toronto, are expected to be available tonight against the Pelicans.
— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) February 9, 2019
For Valanciunas, who was a centerpiece of that package Toronto dealt for Marc Gasol, this isn’t exactly the first time he has had issues while traveling.
