The fight for free-agent shooting guard Wesley Matthews seems to be between a few teams.
The Dallas Mavericks, Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings are involved in discussions with Matthews’ camp about a long-term contract, sources told ESPN’s Marc Stein.
Matthews, a premier defender and prolific 3-point shooter who averaged 15.9 points per game for the Portland Trail Blazers last season, has made it clear that his asking price is a multiyear deal with average salaries of $15 million despite the fact that he’s only four months into his recovery from a torn left Achilles tendon.
However, sources say that the Mavs are extremely reluctant to meet Matthews’ price considering the frightening history of players who came back from torn Achilles tendons. The Mavs would want to sign Matthews to a deal with salaries in the $10-12 million range, according to sources.
The thinning market of free agent shooting guards could create some leverage for Matthews. Chicago’s Jimmy Butler, Milwaukee’s Khris Middleton, San Antonio’s Danny Green and Cleveland’s Iman Shumpert all agreed to long-term deals with eight-figure annual salaries to stay with their current teams during the first day of free agency.
Signing Matthews could help the Mavs’ cause concerning their top priority in free agency, which is convincing center DeAndre Jordan to leave the Los Angeles Clippers to come to Dallas. Matthews, Jordan and Mavs small forward Chandler Parsons have had multiple conversations about the chance to play together in Dallas, sources said.
Mavs coach Rick Carlisle and athletic trainer Casey Smith had a dinner meeting with Matthews in Los Angeles as soon as free agency officially opened Tuesday night.
