Wesley Matthews will be the newest member of the Blazers after the Jazz declined to match the five-year, $34 million offer sheet he signed with Portland, according to Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune.
After catching on with the Jazz as an undrafted free agent out of Marquette, Matthews emerged as a key contributor down the stretch, starting the team's final 48 games after dumping Ronnie Brewer for salary purposes at the trade deadline. Matthews' tenacious defense and deft shooting touch endeared him to hard-nosed coach Jerry Sloan, as he averaged 9.4 points per game for Utah.
Matthews became expendable for the Jazz after the Al Jefferson trade pushed them firmly into luxury tax territory. They quickly came to terms with veteran Raja Bell as a defender/shooter replacement for Matthews.
As for the Blazers, Matthews figures to come off the bench behind Brandon Roy and highly regarded swingman Nicholas Batum. Matthews' contract is certainly on the pricey side, however, for Portland, especially with potential contract extensions looming for much of their young core.
For more on the Blazers and Jazz, check out Blazers Edge and SLC Dunk.
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Wes
I love this pick up. Batum, Matthews, Camby, Johnson,Oden. Who’s got next?
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by The Haitian on Jul 15, 2010 7:34 PM EDT reply actions
wes
was it the Oregonian that said the team spoke to Wesley’s agent and asked him how he would feel about starting in the backcourt with Roy?
If so… Ohhhh man!
1.Roy (miller)
2. Matthews (Bayless)
3.Batum (Cunningham/ Babbit)
4.Aldridge (cunnigham/Pendergraph)
5.Oden (Camby/ Pryzbilla)
I think that is a deep playoff team.
Roy has always been a player that excels with the ball in his hands and if you have matthews and Batum on the floor at the same time, you instantly have one of the best defensive teams in the league, in combination with Oden/Pryz/ Camby’s shot blocking ability and Aldridge’s length.
also it would have to be one of the biggest teams in the NBA.
Roy 6’ 6"
Matthews 6’5"
Batum 6’7"
Aldridge 6’10"
Oden 7’0"
The only worries for me would be the inclusion of Andre miller because he was so great last season.
and also Roy being worn out by the quick point guards. But i suppose you could switch Matthews or Batum into Roys role on defense and have Roy guard the two.
I can only dream…
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by Ryan Thomas on Jul 15, 2010 7:45 PM EDT reply actions
Aldridge is 6'11"...not 610.
so we just got bigger :)
The 2012-13 NBA season: a dynasty begins.
by OVERTIME on Jul 21, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I project the same potential height/greatness as a Kings fan...
PG: Evans (6’6)
SG: D. Greene (6’11)
SM: Caspi (6’10)
PF: J.Thompson (6’11)
C: Dalembert (7’0)
not to mention Cousins (6’11 beast) coming off the bench or earning one of the bigs starting roles. With the Blazers/Kings/and of course Lakers bigs…the West could develop into an epitome of the old East dominance of size and D.
Dannyboy
by dannyboy55 on Jul 16, 2010 1:54 AM EDT reply actions
no way is Donte Greene starting
He’s not a starter in this league. Udrih would likely start at the two guard, playing off-ball off Tyreke.
The 2012-13 NBA season: a dynasty begins.
by OVERTIME on Jul 21, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
same old flazers and queens!
on paper u guys look great, but same old results……. FISHIN DURIN THE PLAYOFFS!! LOL however i really like matthews and wish he would of stayed in Utah, portland was dumb enuff to give him all that money, which i’m happy for matthews. but they JAZZ definitely upgraded and ready to give her a run in the West until we play L.A., but oh well!
PG: D. Will (Best PG in the League)
SG: C.J. Miles (better shooter than Matthews)
SF: A.K. 47 (proven player)
PF: P. MilSAP (portland tried to take away last year!)
C: Al Jefferson (proven DUBble DUBble AND PLAYS “D”!!!)
Bench: Raja Bell (defense), Memo (offense), Hayward (can play 2 and 3)
BALLLLLLLLIN!!!!!!
P.S. portland, develop ur own players and quit tryin to mooch of us all the time!!! LOL
by JUN-BUG on Jul 16, 2010 3:19 PM EDT reply actions
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