Report: Rockets match Nets' offer sheet to Motiejunas

The third time wasn't a charm for the Brooklyn Nets, who have reportedly whiffed on another pitch to another restricted free agent.

The Houston Rockets have matched the Nets' offer sheet to big man Donatas Motiejunas, sources told The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski. The Nets signed Motiejunas to a heavily protected four-year deal - worth a reported $35 million-$37 million - on Friday, and the Rockets had until the end of day Monday to decide whether or not to match. They have reportedly released guard Bobby Brown to clear a roster spot for Motiejunas.

It's the third time in the past five months the Nets have come up empty on an attempt to pry an RFA loose, after having offer sheets to Allen Crabbe and Tyler Johnson matched during the offseason.

Wojnarowski reported on Friday that the contract guarantees Motiejunas just $5 million. If the 26-year-old proves ineffective, or if his longstanding back issues continue to plague him, the Rockets can: A) void the remaining $3.5 million he'll be owed for the balance of the 2016-17 season by waiving him before Jan. 10, or b) decline his $9-million option for 2017-18 before the March 1 trigger date. The final two years of the deal are reportedly fully non-guaranteed.

For Motiejunas, the Nets' offer sheet finally greased the wheels on what had become a stagnant negotiating process with Houston, which dragged through the summer and fall. The Rockets were reluctant to guarantee any contract for the 7-footer for more than one season due to his surgically repaired back, and the structure of the Nets' offer means they won't have to.