Donatas Motiejunas (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers have reportedly auditioned Donatas Motiejunas, according to Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein of ESPN.
The Lakers have crashed back to earth after a surprising start to the season, and the club could be looking for another young piece to add to their growing list of promising players.
Motiejunas became an unrestricted free-agent after the Houston Rockets withdrew their contract offer for the Lithuanian big man days following a physical.
The Rockets have not revealed any medical records, but Motiejunas' recurring back problems apparently served as the trigger for the team to move on from Motiejunas.
The move by the Lakers to give Motiejunas a private workout comes as a surprise to many NBA insiders since the club can only offer $2.898 million.Motiejunas' asking prices is reportedly pegged at around $7-8MM per year, although there's the possibility the Lithuanian is auditioning for a one-year deal with the Lakers.
2016 has been a rough year for Motiejunas, whose trade to the Detroit Piston in February was rescinded due to a failed physical (back). Moreover, D-Mo was supposed to be $37M richer by now, but the Rockets matched the Nets' four-year offer sheet for the big man.
Again, bringing in Motiejunas to the mix would create a logjam in the frontline where Julius Randle and Tarik Black have flourished nicely this season. Then again, Motiejunas would be a solid addition trade chip, should the Lakers make an aggressive move on the trading front.
Consider DeMarcus Cousins to Lakers Scenario Dead
Zach Lowe of ESPN believes it is unlikely Cousins will end up with the Lakers or any team before the trade deadline as long as the Sacramento Kings are in the playoff hunt. The Kings (14-18) are currently in the mix for a playoff berth.
Cousins is set to enter the final year of his current deal after this season, but Kings management hope a playoff stint would convince Cousins to stay put as the face of the franchise for more years. As for the Lakers, head coach Luke Walton stressed the team is not in the rush to make trades, as they prioritizes internal development than blockbuster deals.
