The Rockets received confirmation from the NBA last week that (Donatas) Motiejunas may sign an NBA contract as soon as July 1, rather than when the moratorium period ends July 11. That allows Motiejunas to get his clearance from FIBA in time to play for the Rockets’ summer league team beginning July 13, or even to go through the Rockets’ summer camp.

That summer schedule is considered especially crucial to the Rockets’ hopes he can contribute as a rookie.

“The best for Donatas’s development is to have him working with our coaches this summer,” Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said.

via Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle