Are the Washington Wizards Done Adding Players?

Donatas Motiejunas

In 2014-2015 Donatas Motiejunas seemed like a player on the rise. The 7-foot forward who was then a part of the Houston Rockets organization averaged 12 ppg as a starter in just less than 29 minutes per game. The intrigue was in what Donatas did behind the 3-point line, shooting a career high 36.8%. That season Donatas also had career highs in ORtg (107), PER of (14.4) and TS (.553).  At 24 years old, it seemed as though Donatas was on the verge of establishing himself before a back injury and a cancelled trade sidetracked a once promising career.

Cancelled trade you say? At the same time Ernie Grunfeld was busy trading a top nine protected first round pick to the Phoenix Suns for Markieff Morris, the Detroit Pistons agreed to send their 2016 first round pick (top 8 protected) as part of a three team deal to land Lithuanian three point shooting big man. The Pistons voided the deal due to a failed physical.

In the summer of ’16, Donatas signed an offer sheet with the Brooklyn Nets in late November.  Houston matched, but Motiejunas did not report for the physical and ultimately after months of haggling, Houston allowed Donatas to become an unrestricted free agent. He signed with the Pelicans in January but struggled blending in with the team and finding his niche.

Donatas’ fit in Washington would be what had intrigued Detroit prior to the trade deadline, Brooklyn in free agency, and Houston in matching the offer sheet for Donatas. 7-foot players capable of stretching the floor are rare, and in a league where ball handlers need space to operate, will be in demand. Donatas’ injuries and slow recent play have cooled his market, but playing outside along with John Wall might be exactly what the doctor ordered for Donatas.