Apr 26, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) looks to play a ball as Indiana Pacers forward Myles Turner (33) tries to defend during the first quarter in game five of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a bigger role in store for Raptors centre Jonas Valanciunas.

What did he do last season?

With 12.8ppg, 9.1rpg, 1.3bpg, FG 56.5%, FT 76.1%, 1.4tpg Jonas Valanciunas had another strong season in just 26 minutes per game. He showed he could be reliable scoring option when he was called upon. Furthermore, he started to show he could hold his own on defence.

Does his role change?

Jonas is still the starting centre for the Toronto Raptors, so that doesn’t change. However, he’s due for a minutes bump after just playing 26 minutes per game over the past two seasons. Jonas showed dominance at times in the playoffs prior to getting injured. With Bismack Biyombo gone, Jonas should see at least 30 minutes per game this season. Yes recently signed Jared Sullinger will get some minutes at centre, but the bulk of his minutes should come from playing the power forward slot. The Raptors are hinting at rookie Jakob Poeltl playing some D-League assignments, so he is clearly not a threat to take minutes away from Jonas. However, I do believe by mid-season Poeltl will get the bulk of the backup centre minutes. It’s clear Dwane Casey under-utilized Jonas last season. Finally, it will be hard for Casey to deny him touches after Jonas proved to be the Raptors most consistent player in the playoffs.

What is his value in fantasy basketball?

Jonas can be had for a discount price in fantasy basketball. When people think of the Raptors outside of Toronto they think of Kyle Lowry & DeMar DeRozan. Jonas is a rare player that not only helps you in the classic big man stats: points, rebounds, blocks, & field goal percentage, but he also doesn’t hurt you in free throw percentage and turnovers like a lot of other big men do. Last season in Yahoo, Jonas’s finished at rank 101 on per game averages & 109 on the season which isn’t good if it was in fact an accurate reading of his statistical value. However, if you compare each of his categories against the mean he comes out as the 52nd overall player as per www.basketballmonster.com. A lot of people will see he was ranked over 100 and think it’s an accurate reading of Valanciunas’s value. So you will probably be able to grab him around pick 60 (his average draft position last season was 61.5) and earn a profit if he repeats his numbers. If he finally gets a minutes bump to around 30 minutes per game I believe he could be a player that wins you your fantasy title. And if you are looking to commit highway robbery play in an auction league Jonas’s average cost in yahoo auction leagues was $12.1 on a $200 budget.

Statistical projection

15.5ppg, 10.4rpg, 1.5bpg, FG 55%, FT 77%, 1.8tpg (Top 30 fantasy asset)

Bold prediction

Jonas Valanciunas will make the Eastern all-star team. He might not get voted in by the fans as a starter but could very well be a reserve. Even NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy said he should have made the all-star team last season.

Let us know what you think? Will you be targeting Jonas Valanciunas in fantasy drafts? Will he make the all-star team?