It looks like Donatas Motiejunas is about to go the route Tristan Thompson did — it worked out for the Cavaliers’ big man.
But this would be a huge bet on himself by Motiejunas.
The Lithuanian is headed toward playing this season on a qualifying offer with the Rockets, then becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer, according to the latest report from Adrian Wojnarowski and the team at The Vertical at Yahoo Sports.
Sources: Still time, but sides aren't negotiating as Rockets, RFA Donatas Motiejunas approach midnight expiration on qualifying offer.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 30, 2016
Without a deal, most likely resolution will be Motiejunas signing one-year qualifier and becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2017.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 30, 2016
Motiejunas qualifying offer is $4.4m. Motiejunas would have veto power with regards to trades once the QO is signed.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) September 30, 2016
Last season the Rockets tried to trade Motiejunas to the Pistons (where he would backup Andre Drummond), but Pistons voided the deal, saying he failed his physical. Motiejunas slammed Detroit for the move. This summer Motiejunas was a restricted free agent, but he didn’t land any offers from other squads (teams were convinced the Rockets would just match any reasonable offer).
That gets us to where we are today, where Motiejunas appears headed to signing the qualifying offer, then testing the market next summer as an unrestricted free agent. It all seems a little messier than it had to be, but this is where we are.