Jan 11, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard
Wesley Matthews(2) heads down court after a three point basket in the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. Trailblazers won 104-96. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Wesley Matthews, Portland Trail Blazers
Status: Unrestricted Free Agent
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 28
2014-15 Slash Line: .454/.399/.729
2014-15 Season Averages: 34.0 MPG, 16.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 3.0 3PM
As is often the case with New York Knicks fans, the expectation is that Phil Jackson will lure in star-caliber free agents. In other words, the immediate fix to the current woes is believed to be All-Stars and scorers.
In the midst of the madness, one of the top priorities this offseason should be signing Wesley Matthews of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Matthews is one of the league’s elite 3-and-D marksmen. He’s a tough and rugged player who stays true to the Marquette Golden Eagles way, but he’s also a finesse player who can light teams up from beyond the arc.
According to Yannis Koutroupis of BasketballInsiders.com, Matthews weighed in on his growing appreciation of New York City, his respect for Phil Jackson and his commitment to the Trail Blazers.
"“I mean, you can get whatever you need here,” Matthews said of New York. “It is definitely busy here and it’s just different compared to what I’m used to. I’m from the Midwest, so I’m used to grass and driving through open areas. But it has grown on me over the years. “To be honest with you, I haven’t even really thought about being a free agent, man. I’m extremely happy in Portland and we have a great thing going there and that is where my mind is. “Phil has been around basketball for a long time; he is one of the greatest basketball minds ever. But I’m not really thinking about New York right now. I’m not in their locker room or in any part of that, so all I’m really thinking about now is being in Portland and continuing the great things we have going over there.”"
That’s a professional answer from an under-appreciated player.
Mathews is stuck in a three-way tie for the league lead in 3-point field goals made at 161 with Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Kyle Korver of the Atlanta Hawks. Matthews is shooting 39.9 percent from beyond the arc and is averaging 16.4 points per game for the season.
He’s also an excellent perimeter defender who’s built powerfully and is capable of facing players at multiple positions. In 2014-15, he has a powerful case to make an All-Defensive Team.
Matthews isn’t the biggest name, but he’s the type of player who can be the glue for a championship contender.
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