Late last night, everyone’s favorite local media dude Carmichael Dave tweeted about the Sacramento Kings apparent interest in Portland Trail Blazers unrestricted free agent shooting guard, Wesley Matthews.
Continue to hear that the Kings are very intrigued by Wes Matthews. Don't know what's there, but chatter keeps surfacing. Keep an eye out.
— Carmichael Dave (@CarmichaelDave) June 2, 2015
Wesley Matthews would be a huge acquisition for this team. I shouldn’t have to tell you how good Matthews has been in Portland.
Matthews averaged 15.9 points, 2.3 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals last season, shooting an impressive .389 from beyond the arc.
His numbers are fantastic for a shooting guard in todays NBA, but they don’t begin to tell the whole Wesley Matthews story.
His injury crippled the Portland Trail Blazers last season, and I say that with all the respect in the world for Matthews’ leadership and toughness. He meant so much for that team on the court from a raw numbers standpoint, but his impact in the locker room, and leadership on the court was where Matthews really shined.
After he went down, LaMarcus Aldridge said, via Joe Freeman of the Oregonian –
“He’s the heart and soul of this team, to not have him out there is going to be tough.” And “you can’t replace who (Matthews) is and what he’s meant to this organization with those guys. They’re going to help us — but they can’t be him.”
The Sacramento Kings need that guy.
Of course, one has to believe that the only reason the Kings are in the mix for Matthews, or the only reason they’ll get in the mix if they aren’t already, is because Matthews is still recovering from a ruptured left Achilles that he suffered back on March 5th.
Matthews said that he would be fully recovered in five months. However realistic or unrealistic that sounds, he plans on returning to the court in early August, and certainly being ready by the time training camp starts. I wouldn’t hold him to that, but I wouldn’t doubt him, either.
Matthews was a near-max contract player before his Achilles injury. If the Kings want to land Williams, it’s going to take a lot of convincing, and even more money.
The Kings would probably have to open up more cap room somewhere. Carl Landry should be considered a legitimate stretch provision candidate. We can assume that one or both of Ben McLemore / Nik Stauskas would be on the way out if Matthews were to come in.
The logistics of it are probably not worth discussing at this point, because the Kings do have more roster flexibility than you might think. If the Kings want Matthews, and Matthews is willing to come here, they can get that done. It’s doable.
The risk is nearly as big as the reward. Achilles injuries are tricky, to say the least. He may never be the player he once was. It’s impossible to say.
But Wesley Matthews is worth the risk. If you can get him, you go get him.
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