HoopsHype.com Rumors

Scott Howard-Cooper: Signs still point to Valanciunas coming over for 2012-13. No summer league, though. Lithuania, as expected, qualified for the Olympics. Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas 

Mark Jones: Raptors quietly hoping Valenciunas not in Olympics. Raps source "he needs to get into NBA mode in summer league.its a big adjustment for him" Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Summer League, Olympics, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas, Transactions 

Stefanski, general manager Bryan Colangelo, head coach Dwane Casey and director of sports science Alex McKechnie went to Houston this weekend to watch Valanciunas, the fifth pick from last year’s draft, and small forward Linas Kleiza take part in Lithuania’s camp in advance of next week’s Olympic qualification tournament in Venezuela. “There could have been a foul called on every bounce of the ball. This kid didn’t back down once. That’s what I like about him most: He doesn’t back down against older men who are pushing and shoving and hitting him.” National Post

Toronto Raptors, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas, Transactions 

Details of Valanciunas' buyout for Lietuvos Rytas aren't solved yet. "I hope that everything will be okay - there's no conflict between us. I get a lot of positive attention from Raptors. People care about me. Right now they are here, they talk with me, show interest. That makes me think positive and I can't wait to test myself in the NBA. I had supper with Raptors representatives, we talked about things which were discussed before - only now we talked about all the details," said Valančiūnas, who also says that he feels very welcome. ATN.lt

Toronto Raptors, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas 

Valanciunas will be helped by other Lithuanian, Linas Kleiza, whom Jonas asked lots of questions about his future team. "On our way to supper with Raptors representatives I asked him a lot of questions. I was introduced to both - city and team. Will I be under Kleiza's wing? I hope so. At least he promised me that, so we will see if he keeps his promise." ATN.lt

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas 

Scott Howard-Cooper: Lithuania 63, Britain 61 in Houston. Valanciunas 12 points, 8 rebs, 3 blocks, 17 minutes. Freeland 10 points, 3 rebs, 5 fouls, 20 mins. Twitter

Great Britain, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas, Joel Freeland 

At the age of 47, Arvydas Sabonis is still going strong and once again practising with the Lithuanian national team in the training camp in Houston. The President of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) dropped his suit and tie, jumped into a pair of running shoes and joined the team for an actual practice. lithuaniabasketball.com

Arvydas Sabonis, Lithuania 

Just days ago, Sabonis was trying out his aim with a machine gun in a meeting with the Minister of Defence to announce co-operation lithuaniabasketball.com

Arvydas Sabonis, Lithuania 

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 

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 

Donatas Motiejunas: "I'm trying to figure out what's happening with the national team. If I don't go, then I will attend the summer league." BasketNews.lt

Lithuania, Donatas Motiejunas 

What former King captained Lithuania in the Barcelona Games? DeMarcus Cousins: Peja? (Laugh) In 1992? I was 2 years old! (Answer: Sarunas Marciulionis.) Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Lithuania, Sarunas Marciulionis 

If he wants to leave for the NBA, (Valanciunas) will have to pay a $2.4 million buyout. BasketNews.lt

Toronto Raptors, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas 

"Right now it is about the National Team, we are preparing here and do not even need to talk about it," Valanciunas told "Basketnews.lt. BasketNews.lt

Toronto Raptors, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas 

However, the main head-scratcher for the federation isn’t the two Montepaschi Siena players, but rather the contracts of Donatas Motiejunas and Jonas Valanciunas, who are both looking to make the leap to the NBA. Both of the players cannot sign contracts, with the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors respectively, before 1 July. Therefore, LKF will be looking to insure Motiejunas’ contract with Asseco Prokom and Valanciunas’ deal with Lietuvos Rytas. lithuaniabasketball.com

Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Olympics, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas, Transactions 

“We are offering them the maximum insurance sum available and an extra option, according to which the pay-out would be up to €580,000 ,” said (General Secretary of the Lithuanian Basketball Federation Mindaugas) Balciunas. lithuaniabasketball.com

Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors, Olympics, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas, Transactions 

How about Houston? Have you set any date of your arrival to Houston? Donatas Motiejunas: I can sign contract from July 1st. Till then I have to clear things out. When I sign the contract, I can go. lithuaniabasketball.com

Houston Rockets, Lithuania, Donatas Motiejunas 

Are you 100% sure you will play in NBA next season? Donatas Motiejunas: It’s not 100%. I told them: if you don’t see me in rotation, I don’t want to be someone who sits on the bench. I would prefer to go to strong Euroleague team to take myself a challenge, fight for position. They said that they see me, but I have to show them. Every time, wherever I go, I have to prove everybody what I’m capable of. This is the life, this is basketball. Nothing is easy. lithuaniabasketball.com

Houston Rockets, Lithuania, 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