Report: Rockets, Motiejunas at odds over $6M in incentives

The Houston Rockets and restricted free agent Donatas Motiejunas remain at a standstill over his contractual status.

Houston exercised the right to match a $37-million offer sheet struck between Motiejunas and the Brooklyn Nets, but their ongoing drama took an unexpected turn Tuesday when Motiejunas no-showed a physical.

The reason for Motiejunas' absence stems from money, reports ESPN's Calvin Watkins reports. His $37-million offer with the Nets included $6 million in incentives clauses that the Rockets didn't offer since they're only mandated to match the principle amount on Motiejunas' offer sheet.

With the two sides back at a standstill, the Rockets continue to hold the cards in negotiations. They can either wait for Motiejunas to report, or they could pull the offer and return Motiejunas to restricted free agency to find yet another suitor (other than the Brooklyn Nets) and repeat this process.

Motiejunas would otherwise be an attractive free agent, but back injuries have hampered him in his last two seasons. Those same back issues also led the Detroit Pistons to nix a trade involving Motiejunas in February.

Houston drafted Motiejunas in 2011 and he eventually grew into a skilled, albeit injury-prone frontcourt player who enjoyed a career year of 12 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 2014-15.