Swing for the Fence: Wes Matthews?

Post #1 » by **Patman** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 5:45 am

While most of us are dreaming of signing KD or another superstar, it's not very realistic. We also want Masai to fleece another GM in a trade, but again, those are very hard to come by.

For those that are saying that Masai is too conservative, here's an idea that goes the opposite way: sign Wes Matthews this summer.

This is the definition of high-risk, high-reward. Wes is out for the rest of the season, so the risk is obviously re-injury or not regaining his level of play. The reward is that if he's even close to 100%, not only is he a significant upgrade over Ross/JJ, the FIT is ideal with DD. Wes is a great floor spacer, moves the ball well, and is a very good defender.

Obviously, I'm not saying to pay him as if he's 100%. But somewhere between his pre-injury value, and what his value is now.

The timing would also be in our favour, as the cap number is set to boom the following summer. That means we have the room to take a risk now, with the increased cap acting as a safety net to correct mistakes. Yeah, most teams will position themselves to be able to sign the equivalent of two present-day max contracts. But how many of those teams will land even ONE max-level player? I say let's take action this summer while most teams are preparing for 2016.

Mr.Raptorsingh · Post #2 » by **Mr.Raptorsingh** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 5:49 am

I'm not sure signing Wes Matthews qualifies as swinging for the fences. Good player, absolutely, but he'll be coming off a gruesome injury, and not sure if he can effectively defend SFs since we know DeMar can't, and not sure about James Johnson's future with the team under Dwane.

JDOB · Post #3 » by **JDOB** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 5:50 am

I'm a big fan of Wes, and would love him on the Raps. That being said, even with the injury, he'll be seeing $12M per all day long.

Post #4 » by **Patman** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 5:51 am

Mr.Raptorsingh wrote:I'm not sure signing Wes Matthews qualifies as swinging for the fences. Good player, absolutely, but he'll be coming off a gruesome injury, and not sure if he can effectively defend SFs since we know DeMar can't, and not sure about James Johnson's future with the team under Dwane.

Demar defends SF's better than SG's IMO. I'm welcome to being proven wrong if somebody is not as lazy as me to find the numbers lol.

Post #5 » by **Patman** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 5:52 am

JDOB wrote:I'm a big fan of Wes, and would love him on the Raps. That being said, even with the injury, he'll be seeing $12M per all day long.

I think his market value has dipped to about $9-10M/yr. $12M/yr is what we should be offering him.

bubbrubb · Post #6 » by **bubbrubb** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 7:05 am

i live in portland and my cousins know the inside scoop (they get autographs at team hotels). Wes, Dame and LA have made a pact to stay together. LA puttin surgery off was a sign of this commitment. Of course some money in the face can break a pact but...doubt he leaves.

Post #7 » by **Patman** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 7:30 am

bubbrubb wrote:i live in portland and my cousins know the inside scoop (they get autographs at team hotels). Wes, Dame and LA have made a pact to stay together. LA puttin surgery off was a sign of this commitment. Of course some money in the face can break a pact but...doubt he leaves.

Interesting. Then again, LeBron and Wade looked every bit like inseparable brothers in Miami, so you never know.

raptor jesus · Post #8 » by **raptor jesus** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 8:16 am

How do players generally recover from severe achilles injuries?

Waylon Mercy · Post #9 » by **Waylon Mercy** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 9:10 am

No

- Even if he was healthy he wouldn't make us dramatically better
- We have enough role players on this team
- He's coming off a torn Achilles
- He's no spring chicken

Resist using the cap space on more role players that don't make us contenders. Sit on cap space and assets
until something becomes available and the timing is right.

Indeed · Post #10 » by **Indeed** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 11:24 am

I don't see we are adding a 3+D SG in that priority.

RonaldArtest · Post #11 » by **RonaldArtest** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 12:14 pm

We need to set out sights on a star. Maybe not KD level, but someone more impactful than Matthews (and I like his game).

joseph227 · Post #12 » by **joseph227** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 12:25 pm

That's more like swinging for a sacrifice fly.

changes · Post #13 » by **changes** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 12:35 pm

Treadmill move, not even close to swinging for the fences lol.

Carlton Banksy · Post #14 » by **Carlton Banksy** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 12:53 pm

I would like to echo the above sentiments, and add that Wesley Matthews has arguably the most punchable face in the NBA, and I want it nowhere near our team.

Raptors_Dynasty · Post #15 » by **Raptors_Dynasty** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 12:58 pm

raptor jesus wrote:How do players generally recover from severe achilles injuries?

Generally poorly, but there are a few success stories such as Wilkins

Raptors_Dynasty · Post #16 » by **Raptors_Dynasty** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 1:01 pm

changes wrote:Treadmill move, not even close to swinging for the fences lol.

This. Enough with getting just decent players. We need a primary option superstar type.

tecumseh18 · Post #17 » by **tecumseh18** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 1:06 pm

Swing for the fences? More like:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1c9A-52LzaE[/youtube]

Anyway, after the Gilbert Arenas fiasco, I'm not inclined to give big contracts to guys with severe leg injuries.

MVP- · Post #18 » by **MVP-** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 3:32 pm

Carlton Banksy wrote:I would like to echo the above sentiments, and add that Wesley Matthews has arguably the most punchable face in the NBA, and I want it nowhere near our team.

I think it's more of his attitude. He's a good shooter and defender but acts like he's some irreplaceable cog in the machine. Batum is twice the player he is (asides from his down season this year).

IMAN5 · Post #19 » by **IMAN5** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 4:01 pm

Great player, great attitude, but just came off a really bad injury. Also I would think he wants to stay with Portland and they will want to take care of him.

ontnut · Post #20 » by **ontnut** » Wed Mar 25, 2015 4:04 pm

Wes Matthews would be a great addition. He wouldn't put us over the top, but he's a quality, quality player and someone you can throw out in any lineup and he will be a net positive on the floor. He's likely going to command the max from someone. I'd pay it, given the cap situation, but I don't think he's coming here anyway.