HoopsHype.com Rumors

Chase Budinger is of Latvian origin. His grandfather was born in Latvia but moved to the United States during World War II. "I know I have some Latvian blood, close relatives. Although I've never been there, the rest of my family did, they have visited the country," Budinger said in an interview to the Latvian media. "I've been too busy to go, but my brother just came from a visit to Latvia a month ago." tvnet.lv

Houston Rockets, Chase Budinger, Latvia 

Chase Budinger: "Playing for the Latvian team would be an honor, especially because of my grandparents, but then I would lose the opportunity to represent the U.S. team, which has always been my dream." tvnet.lv

Houston Rockets, USA Basketball, Team USA, Chase Budinger, Latvia 

National team director Maris Jučmanis has already spoken to the player (Budinger) and negotiations continue. tvnet.lv

Houston Rockets, Chase Budinger, Latvia 

(Motiejunas) has a contract with Benetton Treviso, but has plans to move to the NBA. However, he would only be able to sign a deal with the Houston Rockets from 1 July. FIBA.com

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Donatas Motiejunas 

Despite some good news about Jasikevicius, some sorrow was gulped as well, as (Rockets draftee) Donatas Motiejunas, who looked set to make a debut in the national team after two years of not making the roster, will most likely miss this summer, with chance to see him in the national squad at a minimal. FIBA.com

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Lithuania, Donatas Motiejunas 

“I spoke a lot with Donatas, he really wants to play, but hasn’t signed a contract yet. He would be risking his NBA contract in case of an injury. He told me that he could only come on 2 July, but that would literally be the day before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament starts,” (Lithuanian head coach) Kemzura told reporters. FIBA.com

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Lithuania, Donatas Motiejunas 

In an interview with Sports.ru in Moscow on Tuesday, Shved's agent Obrad Fimic said while no official NBA offers are on the table at this moment, five teams have shown interest in his client -- Atlanta, Houston, Oklahoma City, Minnesota and Memphis. As it stands, Shved remains under contract with CSKA but all signs point to him making the jump to the NBA, despite Fimic refuting a recent report that his client was asking upwards of $10 to $12 million on a three-year deal. Ridiculous Upside

Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Alexey Shved 

The third attempt by Donatas Motiejunas to make the national team is under a question mark. Lithuanian forward expects to sign a contract with the Houston Rockets this summer but due to NBA rules he would risk losing the contract in case of an injury. Motiejunas was the 20th overall pick by Minnesota Timberwolves in 2011 NBA Draft but the T-Wolves traded him to Houston Rockets. The player decided to spend one more year in Europe before moving to the NBA. After two seasons in Italy with Benetton Treviso, Motiejunas made a move to Asseco Prokom in order to have an opportunity to play in Euroleague. TalkBasket

Houston Rockets, Lithuania, Donatas Motiejunas 

Adrian Wojnarowski: The NBA has suspended Houston Rockets scout David Patrick for one year for player contact violations during the lockout, sources tell Y! Twitter

Houston Rockets, David Patrick 

If the Rockets want to break with their long-term gameplan and offer Hibbert a max contract based on a “hope” that he will become a game-changer, they could possibly lure him away from Indiana. But any offer that Hibbert receives that’s anywhere close to his real value, his value as a 12 and 9 type of player, will be matched. HoopsWorld

Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Free Agency, Roy Hibbert 

Meanwhile, several other potential candidates who are held in high regard and could be interested in the position didn't turn up any other requests for permission by the Blazers. As of Saturday, Portland had not requested to speak with Rockets assistant general manager Sam Hinkie, Pistons assistant GM Scott Perry (or GM Joe Dumars, who was atop the Blazers' list a year ago but has not shown interest), Warriors assistant GM Travis Schlenk (or former GM Larry Riley, who was named director of scouting because of Bob Myers' promotion to general manager), or Nuggets front-office advisor Pete D'Alessandro. SI.com

Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Joe Dumars, Larry Riley, Bob Myers 

Former Kansas University and current NBA basketball player Marcus Morris has entered into a diversion agreement with prosecutors related to a February incident at a Lawrence nightclub. Morris, 22, currently a Houston Rockets player, received a misdemeanor battery citation in Lawrence Municipal Court. Police said early on Feb. 26 a male employee of The Cave, 1200 Oread Ave., alleged he was punched by a man after a verbal dispute turned physical. It was also alleged that another man punched the employee from behind, police said at the time. Lawrence Journal-World

Houston Rockets, Law, Marcus Morris 

Jonathan Feigen: Kyle Lowry had his sports hernia surgery today. Will have details on how long he will be out as we get them. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Kyle Lowry, Injuries 

Jonathan Feigen: Lowry said he was dealing w condition for 2 seasons, but worse this yr, especially after groin injury. Said made it tough to move laterally. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Kyle Lowry, Injuries 

The Timberwolves own the 18th pick in this June's NBA draft after Utah lost a three-way tiebreaker with New York and Dallas today. All three teams finished with the same 36-30 record, necessitating a three-way blind draw to determine which team gets the 16th, 17th and 18th pick. New York won the tiebreaker with Dallas, which won the tiebreaker with Utah. The Wolves own Utah's pick from the 2010 Al Jefferson trade and Houston owns New York's pick, so the Rockets will pick 16th, the Mavericks 17th and the Wolves 18th. If I had to bet, I'll say they package that pick in a trade to add a veteran(s), but we'll see... Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Utah Jazz, Draft 

Daryl Morey: Rockets fans,tell Goran Dragic how much U want him 2extend his time with Hou. I will get your message 2him. Hash tag #HouLovesGogi in reply Twitter

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Goran Dragic 

Marcus Camby said he expects to have options as a free agent. But after roughly six weeks with the Rockets, he considers them his first choice. “I would like to be here, but I understand the NBA is a business,” the center said. “A lot of suitors are going to be trying to reach out. This is where I want to be. So hopefully, we can make something work.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Marcus Camby 

Janis Carr: Metta World Peace tweeted a video of Kevin Love stomping on Luis Scola. Guess that's supposed to make James Harden feel better. Twitter

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Luis Scola, James Harden, Kevin Love, Metta World Peace 

Mark Berman: Rockets GM Daryl Morey says team plans to add PF/C Donatas Motiejunas to the roster for next season. Morey expects no issues w/ the contract Twitter

Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey, Donatas Motiejunas 

Because guard Courtney Lee is a restricted free agent, his future is in the Rockets’ hands. The team can match any offer sheet he signs, but he said that would be fine with him. “I’d love to stay in Houston,” Lee said. “I have little control over that. The only thing I can control is how I play every night and give 100 percent effort. The off-the-court stuff is up to the front office and owner. I’d like to stay, but that’s their decision. “Houston is always going to be my first choice. It’s up to those guys, if I get an offer, whether they match it or if they just come out and give me an offer.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Courtney Lee