NBA Trade Rumors: Pelicans waive Reggie Williams to bring in Donatas Motiejunas

By Menahem Zen / Jan 02, 2017 04:35 AM EST
(Photo : Getty Images/Sean Gardner) Reggie Williams #5 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during a game against the Golden State Warriors at the Smoothie King Center on December 13, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

New Orleans Pelicans decides to bring in center Donatas Motiejunas to their roster. They waive Reggie Williams and in the process to finalize the deal with Lithuanian center.

According to NOLA.com, the Pelicans announced their decision to waive Williams from their roster on Sunday, Jan.1. He was brought in to New Orleans as a wing player in early December, when the Pelicans had problem with players’ injury. He averaged 5.0 points and 1.2 rebounds in 12.6 minutes during his five games with the Pelicans.

After their injured players returned to court one by one, Williams was sidelined and he did not play in last six games. This time Pelicans decided that they no longer need Williams’ service and waived him. New Orleans Pelicans are currently in pursuit of another big man and they have their eyes on the 7-feet center Motiejunas.

The Pelicans are currently playing more small-ball units in their game surrounding Anthony Davis in the center. They will need another big man with an outside shooting ability such as Motiejunas, who was known to have 30.6 percent three point shooting. A rarity for a big man.

Motiejunas has become the unrestricted free-agent since Dec.15, when Houston Rockets decided to waive him following a six-month long contract negotiation. Both the Rockets and Motiejunas have not come to agreement with the contract extension, so they decided to go separate ways. The Pelicans is getting closed to close the deal with Motiejunas as reported by ESPN, which will soon be finalized within Monday or Tuesday.

New Orleans Pelicans decided to precede Los Angeles Lakers who had also invited Motiejunas to a workout session before Christmas in front of the Lakers front office and the coaching staffs. The Lakers have not made firm decision to sign him, therefore the Pelicans made the first move to offer a one-year contract to Motiejunas. The Pelicans will utilze Motiejunas and his shooting ability for their game play.

Watch the highlight of New Orleans Pelicans gameplay as they defeated LA Clippers 102-98 on Dec. 28 below: