Utah just signed Raja Bell out of their MLE, so Matthews can't be matched now. I'm sure you guys will appreciate Matthews' hustle and grit, but that deal was just too much for Utah to match. Blazers might have overpaid a bit, but Matthews will be fun to watch for you guys. Good luck.
Another good thing about this: Kobe Bryant said he was personally meeting up with Raja Bell to get him to sign with the Lakers. Guess his Jedi Mind Tricks only work on Derek Fisher.
I'm excited. Blazers targeted their free agent picks and their first choice that they extend an offer, they get the player. Unlike last year where the Blazer made a couple offers before finally getting Miller with their third offer. So I feel good the Blazers got who they targeted and that PA is still very comitted and aggressive in trying to put together a championship team. Let's hope this isn't a Hedo mistake but instead a good read by the scouts and a good move by an agressive management getting what they want (given the constraints of only having the MLE)
Thanks for letting us know J_Ray. By the way, some fans of other teams come in here to start shit but you always have basketball to discuss and that's appreciated. YOu may be a fan of a rival, but you are solid in my book. Welcome anytime.
So is it official in that no way Utah takes on that first year salary after signing Bell or officail because the Jazz are not allowed to match because of salary cap rules
You can only offer more the MLE (or use cap space) to a player that hasn't been under contract for 3 years or more. Since Matthews is an undrafted FA, Utah could only offer the MLE. So by effectively using part of it to sign Bell, they can no longer match Matthews.
They aren't allowed to because of salary cap rules. They need to use the MLE to match Matthews, and they don't have the full MLE anymore.
He's young. Athletic Hard working Good defender Hmm, well I guess he is black so he has that in common with Hedo.