Los Angeles Lakers bring in Donatas Motiejunas for workout

The Los Angeles Lakers (12-23) worked out former Houston Rockets power forward Donatas Motiejunas last week and could sign the Lithuanian stretch-4, per reports.

Motiejunas became an unrestricted free agent after a prolonged contract stalemate with the Rockets. Many teams have been reluctant to sign the 26-year-old due to his injury history.

Prior to last season's NBA trade deadline, the Rockets traded Motiejunas to the Detroit Pistons until the transaction was vetoed due to the eastern conference team's concerns about the player's back injury.

Despite his injury history, Motiejunas is arguably one of the best two-way stretch-4's in the NBA. During the 2014-15 season, when he earned the starting nod, Motiejunas averaged 12 points and 5.9 rebounds as the Rockets claimed the No.2 seed before reaching the western conference finals.

Donatas Motiejunas to Lakers?

According to ESPN, the Lakers, who are dealing with injuries to Larry Nance Jr. and Tarik Black, brought in the former first-round back for a workout prior to Christmas. Since the Lakers have approximately US$8 million ($AU11.1 million) remaining in cap space, they could offer Motiejunas the desired contract.

The 7-footer signed a four-year offer sheet worth $US35 million ($AU48.5 million) with the Brooklyn Nets while he was still a restricted free agent in late November. However, the Rockets decided to match the offer sheet before reworking the terms to a new, four-year deal after which Motiejunas failed to report for his physical. Several reports indicated that Motiejunas wanted out of Houston due to problems with franchise player James Harden and the coaching staff.

The Lakers already have Timofey Mozgov, Julius Randle, Thomas Robinson, Tarik Black and Ivica Zubac on their depth chart at the big positions, and could struggle to find playing time for Motiejunas. Having said that, the team lacks a big man who is capable of stretching the defence and shooting threes -- the kind of player coach Luke Walton has often spoken about.

There’s also the possibility of Donatas Motiejunas signing a one-year contract with the Lakers and returning to free agency in the summer of 2017.