After talks about a new deal with the Houston Rockets fell apart, Donatas Motiejunas’ immediate future in the NBA was uncertain. Although the Brooklyn Nets had shown interest in Motiejunas by signing him to an offer sheet recently, it appears the 26-year-old will be headed elsewhere.
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Following weeks of speculation, Motiejunas is reportedly on the verge of signing a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein:
The Pelicans are in the process of finalizing a one-year deal with Donatas Motiejunas at the veteran minimum, according to league sources.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 1, 2017
During his four seasons with the Rockets, Motiejunas averaged 7.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 47.5 percent from the floor and 30.8 from beyond the arc. With the contract talks falling apart with the Rockets, Motiejunas hasn’t played a single game during the 2016-17 NBA season.
The Los Angeles Lakers were one of the teams to show interest in Motiejunas when he officially became an unrestricted free agent. Motiejunas was brought in for a workout fueling speculation that the Lakers may be ready to make a move to sign the Lithuanian seven-footer.
Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak recently commented about whether the team would sign another player with injury issues in the frontcourt. Kupchak wasn’t sure if the team would make the move that would’ve resulted in a player on the roster being cut, but with Motiejunas seemingly on his way to New Orleans, Los Angeles may be standing pat.