Hopefully you’re ready for another twist in the Donatas Motiejunas-Houston Rockets saga.
The Rockets announced on Thursday night that they would be renouncing their rights to the restricted free agent, officially eliminating the possibility of his return while making him an unrestricted free agent who can sign with any team—except, of course, the Brooklyn Nets.
Here’s Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com with the details:
Rockets GM Daryl Morey said in a statement the team was in “extensive discussions” with Motiejunas’ agent, B.J. Armstrong, and the league office regarding his status.
The decision comes one week after the Rockets signed Motiejunas to a four-year, $31 million deal. But after taking a physical, Motiejunas told ESPN he was sent home. Rockets officials declined to comment on whether Motiejunas failed the physical.
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Thursday’s development means Motiejunas is now an unrestricted free agent, and according to a source, he can now sign with any team but the Nets. Under the original terms of the offer sheet, he was not allowed to sign with the Nets for at least one season.
It’s almost cruel that Motiejunas cannot sign with the Nets. They were the ones who fielded him an offer sheet, forcing the Rockets’ hands in the first place. And now they cannot enter the running for his services, when his availability is unconditional, at least not for another year.
That leaves 28 teams for Motiejunas to target in the meantime. It’s beyond unclear where he will end up. There should be a lot of theoretical interest in his services; he profiles as a stretch 5 who can offer some low-key rim protection.
At the same time, he failed a physical that nixed a trade to the Detroit Pistons last season. And his contract situation with the Rockets just deteriorated due to unspecified issues with his physical. Mix in the fact that it took him so long to receive a rival offer sheet as a restricted free agent, and it makes you wonder whether it’ll take him some time to find new NBA digs.
