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.
Blazers Sign Wes Matthews To Five-Year, $34 Million Deal After Jazz Decline To Match
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.
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