NBA Rumors: Donatas Motiejunas Miffed By Houston Rockets

Contract negotiations can be an aggravating ordeal as Donatas Motiejunas is figuring out. He wants to play ball under a reasonable contract, while his team, the Houston Rockets want him to earn it. It is the tug of war between two parties where truthfully, no one wins.

Right now, Donatas Motiejunas is looking like the big loser. The Houston Rockets are also looking terrible.

The current contract talks between Motiejunas and the Rockets are going nowhere fast. A likely ending to this saga is Donatas Motiejunas playing for another team. Things have become so frustrating that the 7-0 tall Lithuanian forward and his agent are miffed by what the Rockets are doing.

According to the Houston Chronicle, Motiejunas’ agent B.J. Armstrong is citing that Rockets are using the rules to their advantage. The Houston Rockets handed the forward a qualifying offer and is the reason for the stalled talks. Because the qualifying offer is in place, Donatas Motiejunas is a restricted free agent. Motiejunas cannot sign with another team without the fear of the Rockets matching the deal.

“He wants me to make an offer and I’m not negotiating against myself. Daryl (Morey, the Rockets general manager) and I are talking, but at this point there’s nothing to discuss. You know the value of a player. You know the value of a starting center in the NBA. There is no back-and-forth because of the rules. They’re using the rules to their advantage.”

There were teams that had interest in Motiejunas when the NBA free agency spending spree was taking place. Now most of those teams are tapped out of money.

Agent: Rockets haven’t made Donatas Motiejunas a serious offer https://t.co/gxMcAjgvCz

— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) September 15, 2016

With limited options on the free agency market, Motiejunas lands right where the Rockets want him. Armstrong went on to state the obvious about Motiejunas’ contract status.

“Let’s see what the Daryl, coach (Mike) D’Antoni and the Rockets do and we’ll make that decision. At some point, we have to have a meaningful discussion. Either we’re going to get it done or not. I can’t predict the future, what they’re going to do.”

In a perfect world the Rockets would have rescinded the qualifying offer they gave Motiejunas and let him latch on to another team. The unfortunate part to the contract talks between Motiejunas and the Rockets is that training camp is just a couple of weeks away. Also, the Rockets do not appear to be in love with him.

Houston attempted to trade (courtesy of the Detroit Free Press) Motiejunas, along with guard Marcus Thornton to the Detroit Pistons at the NBA trade deadline in February. Motiejunas to the Pistons was a short-lived journey.

Once he went to Detroit, Motiejunas failed the physical, and the trade was voided (courtesy of Yahoo Sports). Motiejunas was injured for much of last season. It did not come as a surprise that he would have more trouble. Having to return to the Rockets was one of the most awkward moments of the NBA season.

It’s clear that Donatas Motiejunas and the Houston Rockets are not a match. It is a waste of time for both parties involved to continue on. The Rockets appear somewhat disingenuous with their negotiating. Would anyone be surprised if Motiejunas decides to sit out the year?

Again, there are teams who can find a spot for Motiejunas.

The aforementioned Detroit Pistons are one of those teams.

While the Pistons signed Jon Leuer to be their stretch-forward, there is still a void of shooting on the team. If Motiejunas was initially in the fold, that hole would be filled.

Another team who can use Donatas Motiejunas is the Chicago Bulls.

Bulls fans look at their team with mixed emotions. Some see a team with a lot of mixed parts. Others spot a club that is missing one more element — shooting. It does not matter if that shooting comes from the backcourt or frontcourt. Motiejunas made 30 percent of his three-pointers throughout his career. That is better than Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade.

The Brooklyn Nets need players, period. They were one of the teams who took a look at Motiejunas before backing away. The Nets are also one of the few teams with cap room left over.

Other teams who would think about adding Motiejunas are the Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Toronto Raptors.

Donatas Motiejunas is not happy with the Houston Rockets and how they are negotiating with him. It is for the best that both sides just simply walk away.

Keep an eye on what happens between now and training camp. The situation with Donatas Motiejunas and the Houston Rockets is only going to get testier as the days count down.

[Featured Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images]