HOUSTON -- Moved on but welcomed back. That’s basically the tone set by the Houston Rockets in regards to restricted free agent Donatas Motiejunas.

Late last week, Motiejunas signed a four-year, $37 million offer sheet with the Brooklyn Nets. Monday afternoon, the Rockets matched it, ending a longer-than-it-needed-to-be process. Then a funny thing happened Tuesday morning: Motiejunas failed to show for his physical, bringing more drama than necessary for the power forward.

"Of course we want him here," Rockets guard James Harden said. "He’s been a great piece for our team the last few years, and I’ll let the front office handle that side of it. Our team and coaching staff, we love him here, and he fits well with our system."

The system of basketball says something different. It’s a system Motiejunas' agent, former player B.J. Armstrong, wants to see changed.

Under the current system, Motiejunas can only go so far in terms of his free agency. He’s restricted, and the Rockets can match any offer, which they did here.

Several players and agents would like to do away with restricted free agency or amend for higher financial gains.

"All due respect to the superstars, who kinda are the face of the league, but the glue guys, the utility guys that make a team possible, we know we’re not scoring big points, but we do other things that may not show up on [the] stat sheet as far as a business standpoint and a financial standpoint, we like to be rewarded for those types of things," said Patrick Beverley, one of two player reps for the Rockets. "According to the player’s union, the new deal that is set in place, it helps the blue-collar guys, nothing against the superstars, no offense, the guys that do other things that show up on the box score can also benefit from this game also."

As it stands now, Motiejunas has another day to report. The Rockets' options are to keep their first-refusal exercise notice open and wait for Motiejunas to report, or they can pull it and Motiejunas returns to being a restricted free agent. Houston, based on the CBA, can’t do that until Thursday. Armstrong talked to the Rockets on Tuesday, but nothing is settled. If the offer sheet is pulled, Motiejunas can’t go back to Brooklyn for at least one season. Multiple sources said the Rockets are still trying to decide what to do, however, the offer sheet expires on March 1.

It’s uncertain if the Rockets and Motiejunas will wait that long before allowing anything to happen. But with the offer sheet pulled, it could open the door for another team. Multiple sources said there were two teams in serious talks with Motiejunas about an offer sheet, but the Nets deal -- fully guaranteed in the first two seasons based on some triggers -- was more attractive. When Motiejunas elected not to show up to the Rockets facility, that other unnamed team could now be in play if the Rockets lift the offer sheet.

"We know our rights," Armstrong told ESPN. "We don’t have a problem with the Rockets at all. We understand the rules fully."

After signing the offer sheet last week in New York, Motiejunas came to Houston with the expectation he might report.

"When it comes to your future, everybody gets a little sensitive," Eric Gordon said. "He’ll be fine, eventually. We love to have him here and add him here to what we’ve been doing."

In some ways, the Rockets moved on without him. Sam Dekker is getting quality minutes at power forward, and we’re seeing Montrezl Harrell gain trust with coach Mike D'Antoni, as recently as Monday night against Boston. D'Antoni kept backup center Nene on the bench in the second half in favor of Harrell, who played 18 minutes. The business of basketball on the court continues without Motiejunas, and off the court it remains a mystery.

"It’s not surprising but it happens," D’Antoni said. "But hopefully something good will happen, if not, we’re good. We’re going forward, we love to have him and put him in as soon as we can, but we’re going forward."