Sep 29, 2014; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz forward Brock Motum (24) during Media Day at Zions Bank Basketball Center. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

In what unfortunately ended up being the second biggest news item related to the team on Monday, Australian forward and Utah Jazz Summer League player Brock Motum has agreed to sign with BC Zalgiris Kaunas of the the Lithuanian league (LKL).

Motum’s contract with the Euroleague squad is for one guaranteed season with Zalgiris holding a second-year option on the deal.

Motum, who plays with Jazzmen Dante Exum and Joe Ingles on the Australian national team, has spent consecutive offseasons with the Jazz summer league squad and also played for the team during the 2014-15 preseason.

In eight summer league appearances with the Jazz last month, Motum averaged 8.2 points and four rebounds per game. Although Motum held intrigue as a potential stretch option for the Jazz (he made 35 percent of his three-point attempts during summer league play), his defense was an issue.

Further complicating his quest for a Jazz roster spot was the overabundance of frontcourt players ahead of him. With Trevor Booker, Trey Lyles and Tibor Pleiss providing frontcourt depth and big man Jack Cooley also ahead of him, Motum was probably a longshot to make the team.

Still, the Jazz thought enough of Motum as a player to reportedly offer him a spot on their training camp roster. Instead, the former Washington State Cougar has elected to take the guaranteed money and the potential for more playing time in Europe.

The Aussie told Euroleague.net he was looking forward to his opportunity with Zalgiris–

“I come to a realy good team, the Lithuanian champion, which plays in the Euroleague. I only heard great words about Zalgiris fans. I am looking forward to the moment when I can feel their support.”

Motum played for the Adelaide 36ers of Australia’s NBL last season, averaging of 17.5 points and 7.1 rebounds for the club.