Wes Matthews seeking 15 Million Dollar contract (yearly)

The problem is they are in purgatory right now. If OKC doesn't have massive injuries all season long, Portland finishes with the #7 record in the West. I know Portland had injuries too but what happened to Durant would be like having LA out for 2/3rds of the season. They were also missing Ibaka for about 20 games and Westbrook for 15. The bottom of the playoff rung is the worst place to be...not a contender but no good Draft pick either.

They may have been the best starting 5 in the NBA the last 2 years but so far that is worth a 1st round miracle series win and stuck right in the middle of nowhere.

 

15 mil? LOL. yeah riiiighhht.

 

Yet they miss the playoffs by 1 game only. Amazing quite frankly, we lose Wes for god sakes and we almost drop completely out the playoffs. Kinda discouraging as a blazer fan

 

He thinks he's another Klay Thompson.

 

In other news, I'm seeking the batch of pot Wes is currently smoking.

 

You guys realize this number is what he WANTS, right? It's a negotiation tactic.

Realistically, I see him getting a 4/50 deal, which is pretty damn reasonable.

 

Yes.

 

A negotiating tactic. Well yes, but.....

Next time you are after a little romance with your significant other, adopt "I want sex with Jennifer Lawrence" as your opening negotiating position. Let us know how that goes.

 

He never said that. He said he wants a larger role in the offense. Big difference between being "the man", and asking for more opportunities. Given that our "the man" isn't very good at being "the man" it's totally reasonable for Wes to want more of a role in the offense.

 

Yeah, this isn't really big news to me. Most figure he might get 11-12M/year as the final figure. Blazers may start out at 10M. Wes throws out 15M. It's not really that far off in terms of percentages. I work in an M&A group, negotiating deals and this all looks pretty standard in terms of % deviation from the final goal. It's not like Wes asked for 20-30M.

 

The money figure doesn't really bother me, I know thats a negotiating tactic. What bothers me is the rest. The desire for a bigger role. He's not going to get that in Portland if we bring back LA, nor do I think he should be given it. He is who he is offensively. A guy that can play off the ball and occasionally post up. Nothing more. His ballhandling and creativity isn't good enough for anything more.

 

But he could still be featured more doing the things he does well. Take away 4 of LMA's long jumpers and give them to Wes - a guy who shoots a higher percentage from nearly everywhere, than LMA shoots on those long jumpers. Give Wes two post-ups and two screens and he's become more featured in the offense AND we've potentially increased our scoring output.

 

I think this would be a good option.

 

I'm for that if thats what Matthews had in mind. Something tells me that it isn't though.

 

I love Wes, and hope the Blazers give him a chance to show he still can play at a high level. But, I am not taking Wes’s agents word for it. To be offered the long term contract for over $10 million per year, Wes will need to prove he is completely recovered from his injury.

A 4 year deal is a non-starter. A two year deal with the second year player option is my top offer.

As far as the $$$ go, I would give him the $15 million, but over two years. 2/$15 million is my top offer.

If Wes shows in the first year he is as good as, or better, than pre-injury, he opts out and re-signs a long term contract with the greatly increased cap space, he gets his 4/$60 million. If he is not as productive due to the injury, he gets paid the $15 million to provide financial security for his family.

In reference to what Wes said about his role on a team. Wes is under a lot of pressure right now. He sounds frustrated, which is understandable. When Wes gets back on the floor, he will be a team player again.

 

Give Wes more shots and tell Aldridge to shoot less? Ya that's going to sit well.

 

I think a very likely destination for Wes is a lottery team for the full max. There will be all sorts of non guaranteed years and the team will have the right to cut ties. It'll be the teams that miss out on free agents. Heck the Lakers paid Jordan Hill $9 million last summer. They can take their chance with Wes and if he returns to form they added a quality starter for nothing but if he doesn't recover they cut ties and roll the cap space forward to use next year.

 

For a while there early this season, he was pretty much.

 

Warriors went from 6th seed and out in the first round in 2014 to the championship in 2015 without any significant roster changes.