Free agent Donatas Motiejunas has signed a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, the team announced on Tuesday. The agreement is a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum, according to reports.
News of the two sides first discussing a contract was reported by The Vertical’s Shams Charania on Saturday afternoon.
Motiejunas, who last played in an NBA game on April 13th, has spent the past eight months in free agency seeking a new deal. Once discussions with the Rockets eventually broke off last month, Motiejunas began seeking offers from other interested teams on the market.
The Lakers were among teams to show interest, recently working him out at a tryout, according to an ESPN.com report. The New Orleans Pelicans, Washington Wizards and Boston Celtics also expressed interest, according to The Vertical.
The Pelicans waived veteran forward Reggie Williams on Saturday afternoon, freeing a roster spot and allowing them to sign Motiejunas to a deal. Signing Motiejunas is a key move for New Orleans, with the club currently fighting for the eighth seed out West alongside Sacramento, Denver and Portland.
Donatas Motiejunas holds career-averages of 7.8 points and four rebounds per game. Since being drafted in 2012, he has spent each of his three seasons playing for the Houston Rockets.
The Pelicans will now have 15 players on its roster after adding Motiejunas, who will help provide further frontcourt help alongside Anthony Davis, Terrence Jones and Alexis Ajinca.
Motiejunas will wear #12 for the Pelicans.
