1) A native of Lithuania, Motiejunas was a first-round pick in 2011, officially selected No. 20 overall by Minnesota. He was the recipient of the 2010-11 Eurocup Rising Star trophy, marking him as a player with a bright future. Other recent winners of that award: Jonas Valanciunas (2011-12, now a starting center for Toronto) and Kristaps Porzingis (2014-15, now a certain future All-Star for New York).
2) He adds talent and depth to the New Orleans frontcourt. During a recent stretch for the Pelicans, the vast majority of the minutes at power forward and center have been logged by Anthony Davis, Dante Cunningham and Terrence Jones, with Solomon Hill also sliding over at times at the big forward slot.