Motiejunas injury may void Rockets-Pistons deal
HOUSTON — The deadline trade between the Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons might be voided because of back issues that have plagued power forward Donatas Motiejunas.
The Rockets sent Motiejunas and guard Marcus Thornton to the Pistons on Thursday for a protected 2016 first-round pick.
But Motiejunas, who hasn’t played in an NBA game since Dec. 31 because of his recovery from a sore back, is getting looked at closely by Pistons medical officials. The Pistons asked the NBA for an additional 24 hours of the 72-hour trade window to determine if Motiejunas can play for them.
Motiejunas has played in a handful of D-League games for the Rockets since Dec. 31 and was on target to participate in NBA games again, including last Friday’s game at Phoenix.
“We’ll see. If they don’t give us more time, we’d have to make a decision,” Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters Sunday, according to the Detroit News.
Motiejunas underwent back surgery late last season and suffered several setbacks during his recovery.
If the deal is voided, it would be a major disappointment to the Rockets, who valued acquiring a first-round pick at the trade deadline as the source for any deal.
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