Valanciunas may get benched late in games this season, John Schuhmann of NBA.com reports. "The league is going to their more skilled guys toward the end of games. Trends come and go, but right now, we have to participate in that trend," coach Dwane Casey said.

Analysis:

Coach Casey has been one to match down to the opposition, and that tact resulted in Valanciunas playing 26 minutes per game last season, a drop-off of two minutes per game from his sophomore campaign. Casey routinely sat Valanciunas due to defensive miscues and only played him 5.1 minutes per fourth quarter last season while benching him in 23 fourth quarters. With Patrick Patterson and Luis Scola earning praise from coach Casey, it seems inevitable Valanciunas' role will be marginalized late in games.