Donatas

Motiejunas

Whether or not he actually plays remains to be seen. If the Spurs are comfortable with their seed after the weekend, maybe they give some starters some rest which would give Motiejunas an opportunity as well.

Motiejunas is expected to join the Spurs during their current road trip, so it sounds like he’ll be available to play on Friday in Washington. We don’t anticipate him having any fantasy value, though.

Motiejunas and the Spurs have agreed to a deal, but he has yet to appear in San Antonio. The team has gotten involved in the process to try to push the papers through. He’s unlikely to make much of an impact with the Spurs this season.

Motiejunas last saw NBA action when he played 34 games for the Pelicans back in 2016-17. He has spent the last two seasons in China. He will likely only see limited minutes off the Spurs bench.

GM Daryl Morey said he expects “no issues” with Motiejunas’ contract, and the 2011 first-round pick could make a really big impact beneath the basket for the Rockets. He has three-point range despite standing seven-feet tall, so he’ll certainly be an intriguing sleeper name for owners to stash away in anticipation of next season.

Motiejunas is a talented seven-footer with 3-point range -- he has an out clause in his contract and it’s not clear why he’s remaining overseas, especially since the Rockets need help at center. Right now their depth chart at center consists of Hasheem Thabeet, out-of-position Jordan Hill and out-of-position Luis Scola.

The Rockets added some significant size in the draft with the additions of Marcus Morris and Donatas Motiejunas, but with Chuck Hayes ticketed for free agency, it leaves a gaping hole in the middle for the team. We’ve heard Nene’s name being mentioned in correlation with Houston for quite some time, so it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see him land with the Rockets. His fantasy outlook will depend on where he ultimately signs, but it should remain rather stable regardless of his next destination.

“I liked a lot of the stuff they did,” McHale said referring to Jones and Donatas Motiejunas. McHale did add that the level of competition during the summer league is not reflective of what either will see in the NBA, “so I take all that with a giant grain of salt.” McHale admitted that he’s not sure where Jones and Motiejunas will be able to best thrive, but that’s expected given the total reconstruction of his team’s roster in the offseason. There will be more questions than answers early on in Houston.

Motiejunas, who was selected No. 20 by the Timberwolves before being traded to the Rockets in 2011, is currently working on his buyout agreement overseas. The NBA gave the team early clearance to sign Motiejunas in order for him to get FIBA approval to join the team prior to summer league getting underway. It will certainly be interesting to see what the seven-footer will bring to Houston.

Motiejunas needs to get stronger, and his motor has been questioned, but he’s also an extremely skilled 7'0" 21-year-old with a soft touch, who should contribute this season for Houston. The Rockets need frontcourt depth even if they land Omer Asik, but fantasy owners should take a wait-and-see approach with their Lithuanian rookie.