The Wizards squeezed one last workout in at Verizon Center this morning before Thursday’s NBA Draft, welcoming 7-foot Lithuanian Donatas Motiejunas to town for a solo show, one that could put or keep him on Washington’s radar for the 18th pick and could also help the 20-year-old to rebuild his reputation after a poor recent workout back in Treviso, Italy, where he currently plays.
“I wanted to show that what happened with the practice in Treviso was just my weaknesses practice,” said Motiejunas, who speaks English well even if a few words get mixed up here and there. “This was the practice that I can make, and a lot of teams didn’t understand that. I can tell nothing for them. It was my mistake, and so I’m happy how I practiced, and I give a lot of energy, really.”
In the brief part of the workout that was open to reporters, Motiejunas and Wizards head coach Flip Saunders appeared to joke with one another quite a bit. Saunders said he’d put Motiejunas in the dunk contest if he could show off something special when given the opportunity for a free slam. Motiejunas then joked with Saunders when he was introduced to the notorious workout-concluding “7” drill: “So either I’m going to be in an ambulance or I’m going to finish.”
Of the multiple Europeans that look like first-round picks this year, Motiejunas projects as a stretch four and could have the biggest skill set of them all despite not quite being a polished product. He was happy to show off his stuff for the Wizards coaching staff and front office in a solo setting.
“For me it’s even better,” Motiejunas said. “When there are another five or six players. It can be like someone body doesn’t pass you the ball, somebody doesn’t see how I can move. Here I’m alone in front of everybody so they see my weaknesses and strong parts, so for me it’s even better.”
Motiejunas said he’s worked out for five different NBA teams on this side of the Atlantic. Not invited to sit in the green room at the draft, he said he’s headed to Chicago, where he’ll watch Thursday’s proceedings with his agent, Herb Rudoy.
