The details are extensive and complicated, but after a drawn-out, multi-month restricted free agency in 2016 for Donatas Motiejunas that involved his previous NBA team (Houston), a prospective suitor (Brooklyn) and a series of snags, Motiejunas ended up not signing a contract with the Rockets or the Nets. As a result, he ultimately inked an in-season deal on the fly with New Orleans on Jan. 3. It was a less-than-ideal scenario for the 7-foot center/forward, whose 2016-17 season began in a brand-new city, about three months later than he expected.
“This season has definitely not been close to what I wanted to have, or how I wanted to play,” Motiejunas said, prior to the Pelicans’ April 12 finale at Portland. “But it is what it is. I was put in – or I put myself, however you want to look at it – in this situation. I did it to myself. This season was not what I looked forward to.
“It was a tough situation. From one side, I was forced into it. From the other side, it was my choice, too. I cannot blame anyone besides myself about it.”
That inability to come to a contract resolution benefited New Orleans, which added a skilled frontcourt player, a much-needed reserve who provided depth for the Pelicans in January and February. In keeping with the general theme of Motiejunas’ campaign, however, an unexpected trade during the All-Star break for DeMarcus Cousins led to a diminishing role for the southpaw from Lithuania. Motiejunas initially appeared in 21 consecutive games after signing with New Orleans, but from Feb. 25 through April 4, he logged 11 DNPs out of a 20-game span.
From a team standpoint, Motiejunas hoped to help the Pelicans climb out of an early hole in the standings – they were 14-23 when he arrived – and keep his personal streak alive of reaching the postseason, but it didn’t happen. New Orleans was slightly better in games Motiejunas played at 16-18, but it wasn’t enough to earn the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
“Every year I was always making the playoffs,” Motiejunas said of his Rockets tenure, which was highlighted by a trip to the West finals in ’15. “It’s upsetting that we’re not there. It’s really tough. It’s not what I’m playing basketball for. I’m just not used to not being there. It’s frustrating.”
After an eventful, difficult season, Motiejunas is now almost right back where he started, but this summer he will be an unrestricted free agent July 1, able to sign with any NBA team.
NBA experience: 5 seasons (1 with Pelicans) || Games played/started: 34/0 || Age: 26