HoopsHype.com Rumors

“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 

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 

Weems had to be carried out of the court after he got injured in the LKL game against Rudupis. Hours later he posted a picture on facebook saying "Back to the states to get right!!! Smh looks like I wont be walking anytime soon!!" TalkBasket

Injuries, Lithuania, Sonny Weems 

Yet that's not all. On Monday Weems tweeted that he cannot get a proper treatment in Lithuania for his injury. Editor's note: Zalgiris Sports Director V. Masalskis replied to the criticism by the player, claiming that the players does not understand the treatment procedure needed to be followed while Zalgiris doctors admit there are chances Weems misses the rest of the current season. TalkBasket

Injuries, Lithuania, Sonny Weems 

Sonny Weems might have his eye on a return to the NBA, but can he leave Lithuania? Weems’ team has been eliminated from Euroleague title contention, but his coach says he expects Weems to stay with Zalgaris Kaunas through the end of the domestic Lithuanian league and the regional VTB league seasons. “I do believe Sonny will remain through the rest of the season,” Zalgiris coach Aleksandar Trifunovic said after Maccabi Tel-Aviv knocked off Kaunas 70-66 to clinch a spot in the Euroleague playoffs. SheridanHoops

Lithuania, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Emiliano Carchia: Almantas Kiveris,Zalgiris director of communication,said today that there are no chance for Sonny Weems to leave Zalgiris before season ends Twitter

Lithuania, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Emiliano Carchia: 'Sonny Weems has a contract with Zalgiris till the end of season without any out. There is no clause for him to break the agreement' Twitter

Lithuania, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

J. Michael Falgoust: Just chatted w/ #Nuggets G @Ty Lawson. Strangest about playin n Lithuania? ALL players clothes was washed together. Community underwear #nba Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Lithuania, Ty Lawson, Zalgiris Kaunas 

So Ty Lawson played pro ball in Lithuania this fall. After one game, he walked into the locker room by the showers. “I was like, ‘What’s that smell?’ ” Lawson recalled. He then spotted his teammate, Robertas Javtokas, standing under the shower … smoking a cigarette. “I look over, he’s puffing and says, ‘Oh, what’s up Ty?’ ” Lawson said with a laugh. Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Lithuania, Ty Lawson 

“I remember one game, I threw him a full-court pass,” Lawson said. “He was by himself and he just drops it. So we go back to the bench – I’m mad. Dead-serious mad. And he says: ‘I must have put too much butter on my bread this morning.’ And that turned my whole mood around. We were down 10 in the fourth quarter and I just started laughing.” Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Lithuania, Ty Lawson 

Emiliano Carchia: Roger Montgomery, agent of Sonny Weems, just denied to Sportando that Weems has been offered to Siena. Weems is with Zalgiris Twitter

Italy, Lithuania, Sonny Weems, Montepaschi Siena, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Will Jonas Valanciunas be a Raptor in 2011-12? Don’t get your hopes up Raptors fans. The odds of that happening are miniscule, though ESPN’s Chad Ford at least floated the idea on Saturday. Citing a source close to the Raptors, Ford said there’s a small chance Valanciunas could leave Lietuvos Rytas in Lithuania and join Toronto at some point this season. But Raptors president/general manager Bryan Colangelo threw cold water on the scenario, telling the Toronto Sun: “He’s under contract and the buyout calls for him to play the year out in Lithuania. Beyond that, there is nothing else to report from our side.” Toronto Sun

Toronto Raptors, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas 

When the Toronto Raptors tip off this season, it doesn't appear that Jonas Valanciunas will be with the team. According to the Lithuanian Basketball official site, Valanciunas, who the Raptors took with the fifth pick in the 2011 NBA Draft will remain with his current team until the end of the season. "I'm currently with Lietuvos Rytas and I'm not really interested in those talks, Valanciunas said. "There's a lot to be done here. I'm in Lietuvos Rytas, not the Raptors." TSN

Toronto Raptors, Lithuania, Jonas Valanciunas 

Ervinas Spūdys: Romanov about signing Kleiza: "It's a lottery I don't want to take part in" Twitter

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza, Lockout, Lithuania 

Emiliano Carchia: After six games in Euroleague, Ty Lawson is averaging 7ppg, 3.2rpg and 1.3apg (with assists made just in 3 games).So far big disappointment Twitter

Denver Nuggets, Lockout, Lithuania, Ty Lawson, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Sonny Weems: Strange days over here, though. After one of my best games so far, where I finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists against Brose Basket to win our first Euroleague game, I had a terrible surprise when I went back home. I got robbed! I had never been robbed in the States. I was like, “Man, what is going on? What is the world coming to?” They took some money and a couple of electronic things… Nothing serious, but there is something I was really sad about: They took my XBox! I paid like $500 for this one and now it’s gone. And they left the videogames! HoopsHype

Lockout, Lithuania, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Sonny Weems: Guess the NBA guys that decided to go overseas are looking smart right now. I’m still over here collecting checks while others are looking for a job at BestBuy. But hey, sometimes I wish I was in the States watching some football games… My Arkansas Razorbacks might win a national title this year! HoopsHype

Lockout, Lithuania, Sonny Weems, Zalgiris Kaunas 

Linas Kleiza has confirmed that he will be coming back to play in Lithuania while the NBA lockout continues and the only choice left is between Lietuvos Rytas and Zalgiris. “We’ll see how things pan out. I can’t say that the negotiations are intense, but the situation with Lietuvos Rytas is very clear, but I haven’t heard anything concrete from Zalgiris,” said Kleiza. lithuaniabasketball.com

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza, Lockout, Lithuania 

The lockout is close to bringing another NBA player back to Europe, as Lithuanian forward Linas Kleiza is reported to be on the verge of joining Lietuvos Rytas, where he would join a potential Toronto Raptors teammate Jonas Valanciunas, who was drafted by the Canadian club in this year’s NBA Draft. According to BTV Television, the 26-year-old Lithuanian star, who is recovering from a knee injury, would join the Lithuanian League (LKL) runners-up once fully healthy. After undergoing surgery in the beginning of February, the initial recovery time was said to be between nine and twelve months. lithuaniabasketball.com

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza, Lockout, Lithuania 

According to BTV (Baltic TV), Lietuvos Rytas might add to the roster Linas Kleiza. The Lithuanian forward is out since months due to a serious injury suffered last NBA season while he was playing with Toronto Raptors Sportando

Toronto Raptors, Linas Kleiza, Lockout, Lithuania, Lietuvos Rytas