The trade-deadline deal that sent Donatas Motiejunas from the Houston Rockets to the Detroit Pistons for a protected first-round pick in 2016 may be voided by 6 p.m. ET today.
That’s the report from Calvin Watkins of ESPN.com, who says the Pistons are taking a closer look at the back of Motiejunas, who hasn’t played since Dec. 31. Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters on Monday that team medical personnel wanted a 24-hour extension to examine Motiejunas, a deadline that’s fast approaching.
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.
Motiejunas underwent back surgery late last season and suffered several setbacks during his recovery.
And with just a few hours before the league-granted extension passes, Watkins and Yahoo Sports’ Shams Charania report that Detroit has indeed voided the trade.
Source: Rockets-Pistons trade voided due to failed physical of Dontas Motiejunas.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) February 22, 2016
Houston's 3-team trade of Donatas Motiejunas is in process of being voided by Detroit in accordance with the NBA, sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 22, 2016
Backs are a tricky thing. They can be great one minute and pain-ridden monsters the next – especially for seven-footers.
It’s odd the Pistons would trade for a guy who just had back surgery, then be concerned about that guy’s back, but here we are. The Rockets really wanted a first-round pick, so if the Pistons back out of the deal today, nobody is going to be happy about it.
(ESPN.com)
