Report: Nets Likely To Sign Rockets' Motiejunas To Offer Sheet

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Nets are reportedly expected to make an usual move by signing a restricted free agent to an offer sheet more than a month into the season.

Power forward Donatas Motiejunas and the Houston Rockets have been locked in a protracted contract dispute. Houston pulled its most recent offer to the 7-foot Lithuanian on Nov. 22, just before the league cutoff date for when players could be signed this season and dealt before the Feb. 23 trade deadline.

According to ESPN, the Rockets offered Motiejunas a two-year contract for about $7 million with only the first year guaranteed. He was "surprised and upset" that talks have dragged on for so long, according to the report.

Houston had traded Motiejunas to Detroit in February, but the deal fell apart when Motiejunas failed his physical due to back problems.

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The Nets have been discussing the possibility of trying to sign the 26-year-old for some time and are "comfortable" with his medical issues, ESPN reported. If Brooklyn signs Motiejunas to a sheet, the Rockets would have three days to match the offer.

The Nets are nearly $19 million under the salary cap. They signed two restricted free agents -- Miami's Tyler Johnson and Portland's Allen Crabbe -- to offers sheets over the summer, but both proposals were matched.

Motiejunas played in 37 games last season for the Rockets, averaging 6.2 points and 2.9 rebounds. The Minnesota Timberwolves selected him with the 20th overall pick in the 2011 draft before trading his rights to Houston.

Under new general manager Sean Marks and first-year head coach Kenny Atkinson, Brooklyn is 5-12. The Nets will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.