Report: Nets give Donatas Motiejunas a physical, consider offer sheet for Rockets’ restricted free agent

Update: Marc Stein of ESPN:

ESPN sources say Brooklyn will not sign Donatas Motiejunas to an offer sheet before Friday but deal is "likely" for restricted free agent.

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 1, 2016

The Nets, sources say, are "comfortable" where Motiejunas is medically and planning an offer sheet Houston will have three days to match.

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) December 1, 2016

 

The Nets signed Allen Crabbe to a $75 million offer sheet. The Trail Blazers matched.

The Nets signed Tyler Johnson to a $50 million offer sheet. The Heat matched.

Third time a charm?

Brooklyn might find out with Donatas Motiejunas, who remains a restricted free agent with the Rockets.

Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports:

Brooklyn had Houston RFA Donatas Motiejunas visit for a physical, weighing signing him to an offer sheet, league sources tell @TheVertical.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) December 1, 2016

The Rockets became so disenchanted with Motiejunas negotiations, they reportedly pulled their offer (which reportedly contained a $7 million guarantee for this season). An offer sheet from another team might be Motiejunas’ best chance to find a favorable deal.

The Nets have more than $18 million in cap space, so they can afford to top Houston’s previous offer – but they don’t have to if that’s no longer on the table. Motiejunas might have missed out by waiting.

Brooklyn is in a bind with so many draft picks sent to the Celtics. The Nets must be creative in adding talent, a productive 26-year-old with health concerns might be a reasonable risk for them. The results of this physical will be essential in determining how to proceed.