More on Wesley Matthews Free Agency
However, Fizdale said he feels Jordan — and even the defensive-minded Matthews — can have a future with the Knicks. Even if the Knicks use up their cap space on mega free agents, they could offer Jordan, a two-time all-defensive selection and former All-Star, their $5 million room exception. “Both of those guys have played some [playoff] series on some really good basketball teams,” Fizdale said. “And who knows what the future holds for these guys? They’re ours now, free agents at the end of the year, but who knows? I want them to come here and enjoy the process with us and really help the young guys.”
Shams Charania: Dallas Mavericks‘ Wesley Matthews has exercised his $18.6M player option for the 2018-19 season, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
Matthews has a player-option on his contract that will pay him $18.62 million next season. He said he will pick up that option and return and play next season with the Mavs. “Obviously that’s something that hasn’t been on my mind,” Matthews said. “That’s what you have an agent for and agencies for. Like I said, I don’t plan on being anywhere else. And now it’s just focusing on getting back healthy, which I am now, and getting on this court.”
One of the reasons Matthews noted that it’s a no-brainer for him to pick up the player-option on his contract and return to the Mavs is because of the positive “personalities” within the organization. “You don’t find too many places where, top to bottom, everybody gets along with everybody,” Matthews said. “We never turned on each other, we never flaked on each other. This is an organization that’s a prideful organization — it’s had a lot of success. This is a very successful championship organization and these past two seasons in not making the playoffs and being in the lottery is not ideal for anybody to be a part of it.”
Eddie Sefko: Wesley Matthews, at the Festival de los Mavs, on when his opt-in date for final year of contract is: "I don't really know. I guess I ought to check on that. But I don't plan on being anywhere else."
Will Wesley Matthews still be on the Mavs' roster next season? Eddie Sefko: Don't see why not. He's got the player option at $18.6 million and unless somebody throws a long-term deal with more security at him, he'd be foolish not to take it. He likes it here and I don't think Matthews (or any of the other veterans) really wants to bail on this thing without getting it turned around to some degree. All that said, he's going to be a valuable trade piece as an expiring contract, so never discount the chance of a move.
Tim MacMahon: I hear Mavs' 4-year deal with Wesley Matthews will probably average about $13 million per year. Flexible depending on DeAndre decision.
Free agent guard Wes Matthews spurned a large offer from the Sacramento Kings late Thursday night to accept a four-year offer from the Dallas Mavericks, according to a league source. The move is a major deal for a player coming off a torn Achilles' injury that ended his season with the Trail Blazers before the start of last season's playoffs. The agreement gives the Mavericks a boost as they hope to sign free agent center DeAndre Jordan away from the Los Angeles Clippers.
David Aldridge: Wes Matthews has agreed in principle with the Mavericks on a four-year deal, per source. Turned down huge offer from Sacramento.
Marc Stein: Wes Matthews Update: Sacramento offer to free-agent swingman is actually four-year deal at $16 million annually for total of $64 million
Sean Cunningham: Wesley Matthews stopped by Rudy Gay's camp in Rocklin today.
David Aldridge: Dallas' chances looked very good with Wes Matthews this afternoon; now Kings very strongly in the mix. Didn't mean to leave out Toronto in Matthews dance; Raps still in it, too. But Sac has changed the calculus.
Jeff Zillgitt: Raptors interest in Wes Matthews has led to a scheduled meeting between the two sides, per person with knowledge of meeting.
Ian Begley: Don't think the money will work but #Knicks are among teams on Wes Matthews' radar in free agency, sources w/knowledge of his thinking say.
The Mavericks want to fortify their backcourt, and will make inquiries about San Antonio’s Danny Green and Portland’s Wesley Matthews. Reports in LA over the weekend said Matthews was spotted with Jordan and Chandler Parsons.
According to a person with knowledge of Matthews' situation, he is seeking a multi-year deal that pays approximately $15 million annually. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the private nature of such discussions.
When Trail Blazers guard Wesley Matthews ruptured his left Achilles tendon on March 5 against Dallas, there was more at stake than just a lost season. His future, with his impending free agent status, was in jeopardy after suffering one of the worst injuries a basketball player can endure. "Right away,'' Matthews said, "I was worried about free agency.''
