HoopsHype.com Rumors

Center Jonas Valanciunas, who has just completed a very promising rookie NBA season with the Toronto Raptors will join national team preparations at a later stage as he will take part with his team in the Las Vegas summer league. Another center who had his first season in the NBA this year, Donatas Motiejunas, is also on the team after reaching the western conference play-offs with the Houston Rockets. Eurobasket 2013

Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, FIBA, Summer League, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas, Eurobasket 

Jason Friedman: Rockets announce they have recalled forward/center Donatas Motiejunas from their NBA D-League partner the Rio Grande Valley. Twitter @JasonCFriedman

Houston Rockets, D-League, Donatas Motiejunas 

In part two of RidiculousUpside.com's interview with Rockets Vice President of Basketball Operations, Gersson Rosas, (here's part one to review) the executive discusses each rookie's progress, and the strategy behind their assignments. For more, read on below. Q: As we talk about specific player development, what can you tell me about the progress Terrence Jones and Donatas Montiejunas are making with the D-League Vipers? A: Terrence Jones is a very special player with a lot of physical tools and good talent base. Both he and Donatas Montiejunas are guys who have played at high levels. Terrence won an NCAA title at Kentucky, and Donatas played at a high level in Europe last season. Both of those guys are very close to playing in the NBA, but we have a lot depth with the Rockets, so they just haven't had the opportunity to play yet. Ridiculous Upside

Houston Rockets, D-League, Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas 

Bill Ingram: Didn't take long for Houston to recall Motiejunas from RGV. He averaged 24ppg over two games in the D-League. Twitter @TheRocketGuy

Houston Rockets, D-League, Donatas Motiejunas 

Sources say the Rockets are contemplating sending White to the D-League along with rookies Scott Machado and Donatas Motiejunas. But White has been absent from team's past two practices and Monday night's game against Miami. The Rockets reportedly are fining him every day he is absent from team functions or fails to attend sessions with the therapist the Rockets have arranged for him. CBSSports.com

Houston Rockets, D-League, Donatas Motiejunas, Royce White, Scott Machado 

In a rather unexpected move the Houston Rockets have decided to send Donatas Motiejunas to their NBDL team, alongside two other teammates. Motiejunas will now have to spend an undetermined period of time playing for Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston's own D-League team. The other two players who were also sent there are Royce White and Scott Machado. It is worth mentioning that Motiejunas had declined an invitation from the Lithuanian National Team last summer, in order to put extra work with the Rockets. Hence missing the chance to participate in the Olympic Basketball Tournament. TalkBasket

Houston Rockets, D-League, Donatas Motiejunas, Royce White, Scott Machado 

Justin Verrier: Vegas Summer League All-Stars con'td: Jeremy Lamb, Dominique Jones, Cory Joseph, Jimmy Butler, Kemba Walker, Donatas Motiejunas, Jae Crowder Twitter

Summer League, Dominique Jones, Kemba Walker, Donatas Motiejunas, Jimmy Butler, Jeremy Lamb, Cory Joseph, Jae Crowder 

Ryan Wolstat: Had hear less than kind words about Rockets Donatas Motiejunas from multiple sources around league, but been great. Giving Davis problems Twitter

Houston Rockets, Donatas Motiejunas 

Jonathan Feigen: As expected today, Rockets sign 2011 first-round pick Donatas Motiejunas. Will play for summer team. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Donatas Motiejunas 

Jonathan Feigen: Having had no issues on buyout or FIBA clearance, Rockets expect to sign 2011 draft pick Donatas Motiejunas in next day or two, source said. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Donatas Motiejunas, Transactions 

The Rockets extended a $4.3 million qualifying offer to guard Courtney Lee on Friday, assuring that he will be a restricted free agent to allow the Rockets to match any offer sheet he receives, a person with knowledge of the move said. The team will also begin the process to sign last season’s first round pick Donatas Motiejunas first thing on Sunday, the first day they may begin working to sign him. Motiejunas must first complete the paperwork on his buyout in Europe then receive FIBA clearance from his previous team before he can sign with the Rockets. The process is expected to take no longer than five days, allowing him to report to the start of summer league training camp July 8. Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Summer League, Courtney Lee, Donatas Motiejunas, Transactions 

The team also picked up its non-guaranteed options on guard Courtney Fortson and forward Diamon Simpson on Friday. Both are expected to be part of the Rockets summer league team, along with this season’s first-round selections, Royce White, Jeremy Lamb and Terrence Jones, last season’s top pick Marcus Morris and Motiejunas. Chandler Parsons and Patrick Patterson are expected to make more limited appearances with the summer league team in Las Vegas. Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Patrick Patterson, Summer League, Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas, Jeremy Lamb, Marcus Morris, Chandler Parsons, Courtney Fortson, Royce White 

The international debut of Donatas Motiejunas is delayed for at least one more year after it was announced that the 21-year-old forward won't play for his country this summer. TalkBasket

Lithuania, Donatas Motiejunas 

According to some reports, the player asked coach Kestutis Kemzura for guarantee that he won't be benched at the national team. Kemzura refused to accept such request and eventually Motiejunas decided to contentrate on his move to the NBA instead of joining the national team. TalkBasket

Houston Rockets, Lithuania, Donatas Motiejunas, Transactions 

When McHale wasn't speaking with the campers, he spent some time putting former Houston Rockets draft pick Donatas Motiejunas through a workout. The 20th overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft spent this season playing for Prokom in the Polish League, VTB United League, and Euroleague. He appears to be in terrific shape, having improved his frame since the last time we saw him in person. DraftExpress.com

Houston Rockets, Donatas Motiejunas 

Despite his sometimes volatile offensive performance, he was asked by Houston's front office to focus on his rebounding this season, and made progress in that regard. The near 7-footer averaged 7.2 rebounds per-40 minutes playing for Benetton during the season before he was drafted, but has improved his output per-40 on the glass to 10.4 this season. Expect a deal with the Rockets to get signed quickly as soon as July 1 rolls around. DraftExpress.com

Houston Rockets, Donatas Motiejunas 

Donatas Motiejūnas made an appearance at Eurocamp on Sunday, and was there clearly at the request of the Houston Rockets. Head coach Kevin McHale and general manager Daryl Morey are among the members of team’s brain trust in attendance, and they were seen exchanging pleasantries with the seven-footer from Lithuania who was the 20th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft. NBCSports.com

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Daryl Morey, Donatas Motiejunas, Transactions 

Houston traded for Montiejunas on draft night, but the big man elected to play in Europe last season instead of beginning his career in the NBA. The Rockets hope to have him on the roster next season, and McHale put the player he calls D-Mo through a private workout at the camp on Monday afternoon. NBCSports.com

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Donatas Motiejunas, Transactions 

One team that may be in the middle of draft day dealing (they always are talking and making minor deals) is Houston with Nos. 14 and 16. The Rockets have a roster filled with mid first round picks and have 2011 first rounder Donatas Motiejunas expected to join the team this season. They might make for an intriguing trade partner for the Bulls, though you’d assume it would cost the Bulls Omer Asik or Deng. Maybe you can persuade Houston to flip you Courtney Lee or Kyle Lowry and the picks, which it would seem the Rockets would be only too glad to move NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Draft, Luol Deng, Omer Asik, Kyle Lowry, Courtney Lee, Donatas Motiejunas, Transactions 

Donatas Motiejunas: "Representing your country is a great honor for every basketball player, but my goal is to play. I do not want to be one of the guys who just sit on the bench." BasketNews.lt

Lithuania, Donatas Motiejunas