Report: 'Surprised and upset' Motiejunas seeking offers outside Houston

Talks between the Houston Rockets and restricted free agent Donatas Motiejunas remain at a standstill.

Motiejunas allowed the Rockets' $4.4-million qualifying offer to expire in October and hasn't since received an offer he likes from the Rockets or any other team. He's "surprised and upset" that he's still without a contract, sources told ESPN's Marc Stein.

The Rockets reportedly pulled their most recent offer to the 26-year-old big man because they'd hoped to have him locked him down before Nov. 23 - the last day players can sign and remain trade-eligible for this season.

That offer was reportedly for a two-year deal, with only the first year - at around $7 million - fully guaranteed. Motiejunas and his reps are convinced he's worth more, and have been "trying to drum up interest" from other teams around the league, according to Stein's sources.

The Rockets still have matching rights on any potential offer sheet Motiejunas signs, but given their reluctance to guarantee even a second season, it seems unlikely they would match. A source also told Stein that the Rockets, if still interested, would come down by at least $1 million on their offer of a $7-million first-year guarantee now that Motiejunas will be ineligible to be traded.

To hear coach Mike D'Antoni tell it, the team is ready to move on.

"We're not waiting for him," D'Antoni told reporters Wednesday. "You try to develop guys and develop roles and we are doing that (with our current roster). ...

"At the same time, he's that good where if things change, we'll welcome him in and see what happens. But again, this is a time that he has to get good with himself, because it is a business and the organization is a business.

"Players have to do what they think is best for them."

The Rockets' reluctance - and, presumably, that of the rest of the league - stems from fears over Motiejunas' surgically repaired back, which nullified his trade to the Detroit Pistons last season.