Forward Donatas Motiejunas isn't planning to return to the New Orleans Pelicans next season.
The 26-year-old will hit the market on July 1 as an unrestricted free agent and he's looking to sign with a team that will be a top playoff contender in 2018. Motiejunas is even willing to accept a low-dollar, one-year contract.
"My biggest wish is [an] NBA title. In a good situation I would agree [to a] one-year deal," Motiejunas said, according to Lithuanian basketball writer Donatas Urbonas. "I want to play for a team where I would be a good fit and which [plays] team basketball. The money will come later."
Motiejunas signed a contract with the Pelicans at the beginning of January after a tumultuous December. A restricted free agent, he signed a four-year, $37 million offer sheet with the Brooklyn Nets, which the Houston Rockets matched. Motiejunas subsequently failed to take a physical, so the Rockets voided the contract on Dec. 9, and a week later they pulled the qualifying offer and renounced his rights.
Motiejunas doesn't see the Pelicans as the right fit moving forward and has a list of four teams he would like to play for in 2017-18.
"They [the Pelicans] don't need me with already four to five big men on the roster for next season," said Motiejunas, who likes the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz and Washington Wizards. "I like their game and I also have some interest from them."
If Motiejunas doesn't get an NBA offer he likes in the summer, the Lithuanian big man probably will continue his career back in Europe.
In 34 appearances with the Pelicans, Motiejunas averaged 4.4 points and 3.0 rebounds.
-- Nick Silva
